Show Popular Marriage Marriage is more popular than ever says Dr Rex A A. A Skidmore dean of the University University University sity of Utah Graduate School of Social Work AND HE ADDS Although nearly a million half couples are divorced each year the rate is not as high as it seems considering considering con con- the population a t ion in in- in crease He says the all time high was after world war II In describing the successful marriage during a are recent c en t speech Dr Skidmore placed strong emphasis on a willingness willingness willingness willing willing- ness to communicate and work at the relationship Marriage is a process not an event a journey not a destination There is disillusionment in ev every every every ev- ev ery marriage After ten years a marriage needs to be revitalized revitalized revitalized and after 20 years when children leave it must be re renewed renewed renewed re- re again ACCORDING TO Dr Skidmore Skidmore Skidmore Skid- Skid more the family is still the basic institution of society but butmore butmore butmore more marital family and especially especially especially espe espe- premarital counseling is needed Prevention is much better than cure he says He also sees a a narrowing of or orthe the individual roles Toles of husband and wife because of the in increase increase increase in- in crease of working wives The husband now helps with the housework when he would never raise a finger before THE DEAN believes an area of marriage that is often overlooked overlooked overlooked over over- looked in psychological studies is its spiritual value Statistics indicate that people married by religious authorities have an advantage over those who are not The noted sociologist says couples with religious values tend to give more meaning and value to life while those who have no bulwark are floating without meaning ACCORDING TO Dr Skidmore Skidmore Skidmore Skid- Skid more most families dont don't break up But when divorce does oc occur occur occur oc- oc cur it is often in the heat of battle He said it Is unfortunate that married couples in trouble seldom go to a marriage counselor coun coun- It takes psychological en energy energy energy en- en ergy to admit that you need help and even more energy to go out and get it he said |