A lot of religious institutions as well as the government-owned marriage registry insist on compulsory marriage counselling classes for intending couples. These are not without valid reasons as couples need to understand the full import of what they are about to get into. Intending couples are taught various rules techniques governing marriage. Marriage counsellors believe that every couple should have a form of education before tying the knot—this is expected to help them last the distance and overcome whatever challenges that may come their way in the course of their union. The question one is tempted to ask is: how helpful is marriage counselling?
If marriage counselling is that helpful why do we have a very high divorce rate all over the world today? Is marriage counselling a fulfilment of “righteousness” or a necessary tool to truly help couple get along in marriage?
Most couples I have spoken to barely listen to some of the tips and counselling being given to them during the sessions. Couples who still have a lot of things to buy on their wedding list may have divided attention and not focus on what is being taught during classes. Since no exams are taken during and after the classes, it is difficult to find out if the lessons have been well taken in by the intending couples.
So is marriage counselling effective?
