Chapter One “In a high-divorce society, not only are more unhappy marriages likely to end in divorce, but in addition, more marriages are likely to become unhappy." -- COUNCIL ON FAMILIES IN AMERICA.
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When Japanese government officials conceived building an airport in Narita, little did they know that
airport will later come to be associated with divorce. Even engineers and architects, who dreamt up plan, forgot to dream about wed locks and goodbyes. Morpheus, god of dreams, did not remind them.
Now, term Narita divorce, has been coined for newlyweds who on arrival at Narita Airport after a honeymoon, immediately head to court to file divorce papers. Bad word!
Marriages have been known to hit rocks, night after weeding day. Some may wait to happen after birth of first child, while others may choose to divorce after their golden jubilee.
The story of broken marriages -- marital bliss turned marital misery, is worldwide. And this is happening despite an army of psychologists, psychiatrists, clergymen, and other counselors offering advice on marriage, including a horde of publications on subject. People have even written best-sellers, offering advice on broken families. Ask Inyanla Vanzant, author of book, Yesterday I Cried.
Let's get some statistics. Britain has highest divorce rate in Europe (4 out of 10 marriages), Canada and Japan (1 out of 3 marriages), Zimbabwe (2 out of every 5 marriage) and Spain (1 out of 8 marriages.) Also in Australia, divorce rates have quadrupled since 1980's, and in United States and other lands, teenage mothers and children born out of wedlock, have been on rise.
In other countries, like Germany, traditional family has totally been abandoned. In that country, single persons and individuals account for a majority of families. And in France, people are marrying less, and divorcing more.
The effect of broken families -- oldest human institution -- is already telling on us. What with violence that we see around us today?
Family disintegration has led to fall of great empires like Rome and Greece. May it not lead to end of our civilization!
But why are married couples increasingly getting divorce certificates or simply living as roommates, or what has been called emotional divorce? Because they started their marriages with wrong foot. And head to wrong people to seek advice -- marriage counselors.
These series of articles will help you to get your marriage on a good start, and stay married. Because it will tell you God's view about marriage. And since God is creator and originator of marriage, he is best authority on this matter.
In these series, you will find answers to questions that you may have asked such as: How can I find a compatible mate? What are rules of dating? How do I know if I am ready for marriage? What happens on wedding day? What is needed for a successful marriage? How should disagreements be settled? What is my role in family? How can a husband get his wife's respect? Why does a wife need her husband's love? Who is decision maker? What about children? And many more…
But first; folks, let us look out for dangers in a marriage. Knowing these dangers, like a sailor knowing location of hidden rocks under sea, will help you to find success in your courtship and marriage, sex and happiness.
So, what are they?
Chapter Two
"It seems much easier to fall in love than to stay in love." --DR. KAREN KAYSER.
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Would you want to marry in haste and repent at leisure? No, folk. May that not be your destiny. But you see, marriage is like a packed theater with some uninterested spectators wanting to get out, and other interested ones waiting outside, wishing to get in.
If you think though that marriage can solve all of your problems, you are mistaken. Ask a married friend. But it can give you a measure of security and satisfaction if you play by rules.
But we forget rules before we rush into matrimony. And when a sailor forgets his navigation rules, he suffers a shipwreck.
You see, people enter into marriage relationships with little or no preparation. If you were entering university for example, you will be asked to sit for a qualifying exam. You may even be asked to show other supporting qualifications like TOEFL if you were heading for a U.S. university.
