The rationale for enriching marriages

By Dave Percival

Does enriching marriage work?

The efficacy of marriage enrichment programmes can be judged from the extensive research work principally conducted in USA which shows that over 90% of couples attending a weekend report long-lasting positive benefit from the experience; this work is supported by recent research undertaken in the UK. Whilst a rigorous study has not been conducted, evidence from the ongoing database of couples who have attended programmes in the UK suggests that marital breakdown after an enrichment programme is reduced to less than 5% compared with the national average of over 35%.

The impact of enrichment programmes is not confined to the couples alone, but affects their families, friends and the community in which they live. Couples who are excited about their marriage become active voices and encouragers in promoting marriage and inspiring others. Thus the well-founded methods developed and proved by the Marriage Encounter movement, and many others, over 30 years of international experience have not only an impact on the couples directly participating in the programme, but also increase and strengthen the population of couples acting as promoters of marriage.