Expert urges couples in Bahrain to seek help to save marriage
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Poor communication and reluctance to avail professional marriage counselling could be the reason for the recent increase in divorce rates in the Middle East, experts say. Such a trend can be skipped if couples learn to overcome small issues, they added.
"Poor communication and conflict resolution skills, insufficient quality time spent together, and a reluctance to seek marriage counselling are the main factors as to why we are witnessing an increasing divorce rate in the Gulf region," Dr. Mariam Alammadi, an award-winning Bahraini psychologist and CEO of the Child & Family Foundation Centre in Bahrain, told The Daily Tribune.
Highlighting the challenges women have overcome, she said that women have made significant strides in self-awareness and are actively pursuing their self-actualization. "We can witness their leadership roles across various sectors in the Kingdom, all while managing their households and raising children," the CEO said. So, what does this really mean? As we see more women in the workforce, new challenges appear, especially as traditional gender roles are shifting amongst women and men. "Achieving the delicate balance of women carrying multiple roles in society requires active participation from both partners in the marriage and support from extended families as well," Dr. Mariam said.
Communication
"Based on my own experiences and interactions with patients at my center, I have observed that communication is a major challenge for many couples," she relayed. There are many areas of communication where it is normal and relevant for couples to discuss them, but they simply cannot navigate them efficiently.
"Certain important topics, such as financial matters, common interests, and life goals, may not have been discussed prior to marriage, and they arise during the marriage." Not only that, but a lack of social support and sometimes misguided advice from friends can unnecessarily further complicate matters. "Unrealistic expectations from both sets of families may also contribute to strain within the marriage." However, she suggested that couples can also be too quick to discuss divorce when many problems that marriages undergo can improve and thrive with time and care.
So, what can couples do to avoid divorce? "Many couples have found value in attending marriage counselling and have realised that they want to work through their challenges and preserve the positive aspects of their relationship," Dr. Mariam said. She stressed that pre-marriage counselling can allow couples to align their expectations and goals before committing to a life together, lowering the outcome of divorce. "It is crucial for couples to be on the same page and openly discuss their hopes and concerns."
Divorce rates are rising globally, but experts and studies claim that marriage is not a main priority for young people anymore, certainly not in their young years, and Dr. Mariam cited some of the factors for this new era. "Influenced by education and job prospects, fewer young women and men are getting married." "A bachelor’s degree no longer carries the same weight it once did, and both men and women are now pursuing higher education, which often leads to a longer period of time before finding a suitable job as individuals strive to excel and save for the future," she said.
Furthermore, she cited a growing awareness that personal happiness is in one’s own hands. People are beginning to understand that marriage requires an extensive amount of effort as well as commitment. "Young people want to ensure they are fully ready and compatible before making such a significant commitment."
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