Rise in divorces
You had a fairytale wedding. The honeymoon period was more than you could have ever dreamed of. Then you realize, years down the road, you’re feeling disconnected and neglected. The intimacy you once shared is lacking and you’re emotionally withdrawing from one another. This is certainly not what you expected in the long run.
You had a fairytale wedding. The honeymoon period was more than you could have ever dreamed of. Then you realize, years down the road, you’re feeling disconnected and neglected. The intimacy you once shared is lacking and you’re emotionally withdrawing from one another. This is certainly not what you expected in the long run.
Many have speculated about what has contributed to the rise in divorce rates. Some theories include:
- It is nearly impossible to live on one income any longer. When both spouses are working, it may be that they’re not keeping the other spouse’s needs in mind.
- Many marriages today aren’t a first marriage. In this situation, blended families can cause extra stress, perhaps contributing to the rise in marriage failures.
- Lack of commitment and communication. Marriage just isn’t seen as the institution it once was. There is more focus on “self” today rather than “us.”
- No-fault divorce laws. This has made getting a divorce much easier, perhaps offering couples an easier way out.
- Cohabitation. A large percentage of couples live together before marriage today. Research consistently shows couples who begin their relationship living together have a higher chance of divorcing.
- There is no longer a social stigma about divorce. Once a matter of shame, divorce today is much more accepted than it was in the past.
Story of Rob and Ann
Let’s look at the case of Rob and Ann. Their first few years of marriage were great. Then, as they introduced children and the accompanying financial stress of raising a family into the equation, things became strained. “Our relationship became all about the kids and their needs,” Rob says. “We stopped talking and started arguing. I just wanted to avoid getting in another argument. Tension—that’s how I’d describe it.”
Rob and Ann no longer knew how to lovingly communicate. They became like two ships passing in the night. Ann sums it up, saying, “I think we still loved each other, but we didn’t know how to get out of the rut we found ourselves in.”
They heard about the 180 Marriage Weekend from a friend of theirs and decided to try it out. After the weekend, Rob said, “We didn’t know our issues were so common and easy to fix!” Ann agreed, “Once we realized what we were dealing with, hope returned. Our stability is coming back, and we are excited to pass that stability to our kids. I think they’re feeling it, too. Mom and Dad are working together again.”
And that is a very important reason for Rob and Ann to fix their marriage—their children are watching.
Story of Richard and Elizabeth
When Richard and Elizabeth Albertson started Live the Life in 1998, one of Richard’s first realizations was that he hadn’t had a solid role-model for a healthy marriage growing up. “I’ve since learned that most people don’t know how to do marriage,” he says, “they’ve grown up with either poor examples or no example before their eyes for how it’s done.”
As the marriage landscape has faded over the decades, fewer people have had a solid example of a healthy marriage in their homes growing up to model their own marriages after. No one is being taught the skills necessary for growing and maintaining a healthy, thriving, committed, life-long, loving marriage relationship. And the divorce rates reflect that. Richard explains, “The reality is, when you know better, you do better.”
Is 180° Marriage for you?
This is why Live the Life, a nationally recognized leader in skills-based marriage education and Sanctuary Clinics, the #1 Christian Behavioral Health Program and America have come together to create 180° Marriage Weekend and 180° Marriage Weekly/Virtual.
180° Marriage Weekend and 180° Marriage Weekly/Virtual exist to help marriages like Rob and Ann’s … and marriages like YOURS.
180° Marriage brings together a skills-based curriculum and supportive community for helping husbands and wives not only understand what is happening in their marriages, but develop the skills to navigate those challenges, all within a loving, supportive, and encouraging environment.
Is 180° Marriage for you? If you’re ready to see your struggling marriage become all it can be—YES! If you are needing to discover hope, healing, and restoration—YES! If you have a good marriage and you want to make it great—YES!
