Running Head: Review of Article Making A Case for Premarital Education

Review of Article Making a Case for Premarital Education Lynda Gonsalves Liberty University

Review of Article Making A Case for Premarital Education

This article is based on information gathered from empirical analysis, professional/public opinion, and rational debate, Stanley (2001) constructed four arguments that support an increased need for premarital counseling. The point of views was presented for the plausible benefits of engaging in premarital preventive efforts on a broad scale (Stanley, 2001, p. 272). His arguments include: 1. Using premarital approaches to slow couples down in an attempt to permit them time become acquainted with one another better before jumping into marriage. 2. By means of premarital counseling strategies to give emphasis to the significance of the marital union and the long-term family and communal consequences attached to the choice to marry. 3. The utilization of premarital stratagem will exhibit that there are resources obtainable to help out couples when they start to experience marital conflict. 4. Couples involvement in premarital education programs are less prone to have marital issues and are less likely to divorce (Stanley, 2001). Stanley (2001) presents the arguments as feasible exploration programs that could be studied additionally to assist in developing a better understanding of what strategies can be implemented to lower and/or prevent divorce and decrease marital distress. He also makes some compelling arguments for the need of premarital counseling and places the importance on all of society taking an outlook of prevention in regards to developing plans to successfully deal with the high divorce rate and high levels of marital disputes that our country is currently battling. Stanley (2001) recognizes the need for more empirical research is needed to determine how to successfully prevent marital conflicts for society as a whole and lower the current divorce rates. Silliman and Schumm (2000) support the necessity for more research on this subject when they discuss how additional consideration to theoretical

Review of Article Making A Case for Premarital Education frameworks to guide premarital counseling is needed although the research and practice of premarital counseling have already been established. A high rate of divorce is one of many social problems affecting society today. Stanley (2001) states, it is estimated that approximately 40% or more of new marriages among the younger generation will eventually end in divorce (p. 272). It presently appears to be a push to put things in position to help prevent marital and family breakdown and the implication that couples should be required to undergo premarital education to help improve and prevent marital

suffering. Risch et al (2003) support the use of premarital counseling when they state, marriage preparation programs have been used by practitioners and couples for decades, generally speaking programs aim to enhance the quality and stability of marriages and the content is chosen with this goal in mind (p. 2). This preventative approach is an area that is getting much attention worldwide as some governmental units are requiring premarital counseling as a means to reduce divorce and strengthen families (Stahmann, 2000, p. 104). It is definitely beneficial to have preventative programs in place to assist couples who make a commitment to the union of marriage. This union affects the couple directly, their growing family, their separate families, and society as a whole. Premarital counseling approaches can be viewed as societys obligation towards supporting and the achievement of a happy and healthy life. Anything preventative should be viewed as useful means to the end. While new research is being developed, there is a lot to say for taking the needed steps to put preventative procedures in place to deal with what is currently known about the topic. Premarital counseling should be viewed as a practice to promote general health to the entire family system. The pre-emptive actions connected with these strategies can purify the entire family system as they can aid in the decrease in marital dissension and divorce, which have a cause and effect

Review of Article Making A Case for Premarital Education connection with domestic violence, child abuse, and mental health issues related to the consequence of a broken marriage. It is better to prevent problems before they arise, than trying to fix the problem before it is to late.

References

Risch, S., Riley, A. & Michael G. (2006). Problematic issues in the early years of marriage: content for premarital education. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 31, 1-27. Silliman, B., & Schumm, W. R. (2001). Marriage preparation programs: A literature review. Family Journal, 8, 133-143. Stahmann, Robert. (2003). Premarital counseling: a focus for marital therapy. Journal of Family Therapy, 22. 104-116. Stanley, S., M., (2003). Making a Case for Premarital Education. Family Relations, 50, 272-280.