Two Interesting Facts about Marriage

I learned two facts recently that I thought I'd share with you. These are interesting to think about, so please let me know what you think. Do you agree?

1. Fifty percent of marriages end in the first 4 years. People have hardly gotten to know each other in four years. I asked my relative who is a divorce attorney if he agreed with this fact and he added that he thought it was true because in the state of Maryland, couples married just six little years constitutes a "long" marriage according to judges.

I don't know what percentage of these marriages have children, but I would guess that having children "before" you even know your partner is a really bad idea. Children put loads of stress on a marriage because of all the changes involved in becoming parents--let alone all the responsibilities.

2. If partners in a marriage are having problems, but one refuses to go for counseling, does it pay to have one person go to counseling? Doesn't it take two to tango? Many couples therapists would ideally like to see both partners; however, if one goes for counseling and can make some changes in the relationship, these changes might turn the table on the problem. If a partner makes a significant change, it may envitably cause a change in the other person.

However, if we are speaking about drug abuse, physical abuse, alcoholism, or infidelity, other resources and counseling methods are needed.