Pre-Marital Counselling: Perfect for Young Couples 

Did you know that the risk of divorce is highest early on in marriage? We’ve all heard that “50% of marriages end in divorce”, but for people of a younger age, the famous 50% statistic is actually much higher.

Research has proven that divorce rates are highest among couples in their 20s. In fact, 60% of marriages for couples between the ages of 20 and 25 end in divorce. Whether it’s due to lack of commitment, infidelity, marrying too young, a change of heart, or lack of trust, the bottom line is that many young couples enter marriage with unrealistic expectations, and this all comes down to lack of preparation. In a world that is fast-changing and far different to what it was when our parents were young, the best thing you can do to make certain you have a solid, strong chance of survival is to seek pre-marital counselling.

What Pre-Marital Counselling is All About

So, what is pre-marital counselling, and why should you and your fiancé sign up for it? Marriage is not easy. Marriage is not like going away with someone for the weekend and returning to your own space and rules afterwards. Marriage is a serious lifetime commitment, which is why every good relationship needs a good foundation. Here’s how pre-marital counselling can help young couples prepare for a strong, healthy marriage..

You’ll Get to Know Your Partner Even Better

Unfortunately, most couples spend more time planning their wedding than their marriage, which is why it is not uncommon to get married, only to learn that your partner doesn’t want children, or one of you want a change of careers, maybe study something new, and then even travel before settling down. Let’s face it, when we’re in love, we don’t always think properly, especially about all the “real issues” that married couples have to. Pre-marital counselling is likely to bring up certain topics that you have never discussed in depth, thus allowing you to connect on a deeper level.

You’ll Learn That Communication is the Secret to a Good Marriage

It is much better to be 100% certain that you want the same things from the beginning. You both want to be the type of spouses that not only understand and respect each other, but most importantly, want to, and know how to communicate with each other. Your partner should be your best friend, and you should be able to feel completely comfortable and free about talking about anything, serious or not. Talking is healthy and pre-marital counselling helps couples improve their ability to communicate in a safe space, where they can express their hopes, dreams and concerns, without judgement or ridicule.

Pre-marital counselling can give you a better chance for a stable and satisfying marriage. But more importantly, it can also help you determine if this is really the right time for you to tie the knot, or not. If you’re thinking about pre-marital counselling, then chat to Dr Tienie Maritz to find out more.