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Home > Archive > Mar 6, 2008

Venus and Mars Happily Ever After
By Katrice Schimbeck
Staff Writer
For most of us, happiness includes that certain significant other, but sometimes, marriage doesn’t work out. According to Carolyn Washburn, USU Extension Agent, 50 percent of all Utah marriages end in divorce, and Washington County is even higher, at 55 percent. 
To help reduce this statistic, the Utah Department of Workforce Services gave a grant of $10,000 to Washington County to fund marriage-strengthening activities. Five thousand dollars will be used this year and $5,000 for next year for marriage enhancement. 
Washington County sponsored a marriage-celebration week in February, will hold free marriage enrichment classes, and send Marriage $ense newsletters to newlyweds. With these event and activities, the county hopes to strengthen local marriage coalitions.
Quoting a successful psychologist in marriage therapy, Dr. John Gottman, Washburn said, “Couples who spend six hours a year in marriage enhancement activities will have a successful relationship.”
Building on these studies, USU Extension in conjunction with the Governor’s Commission of Families will offer a free course for anyone interested in building a strong marriage. The course will start Tuesday, March 11, and run every Tuesday evening for six weeks.
“This is an excellent way to build skills to have a positive relationship,” Washburn said.
The six-week course is offered three times a year and is free for couples. A light dinner will be served. Any interested couples may attend. The seminar includes topics of marriage commitment, communication skills, successful marriage styles, finances, and blended or step families. 
Washburn said sometimes topics are adjusted to specific needs of those attending. Couples can attend some or all of the classes. On hand will be marriage counselors, people from the marriage coalition, and even a financial advisor teaching the classes.
Washburn said, with the divorce rate so high, knowing skills to improve your relationship can be an excellent way to create a positive relationship.
“It’s a great opportunity for them and their spouse to attend and gain some marriage enhancement. It’s critical to work on your marriage,” Washburn said.
The state of Utah plans to run a study on new marriages in Washington County this fall. If couples planning on marriage attend classes, they will be offered money toward their marriage license. Washburn said previous studies show 97 percent of those attending classes were still married after 10 years. According to Utahmarriage.org, 70 percent of divorces in Utah happen before 10 years of marriage.
For more information on the seminars, call USU Extension at 634-5706 or come to the class on Tuesday, March 11, 7 p.m., at the USU Extension building, 44 North 100 East in St. George.

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