OUR VIEW: Good marriages need preparation

Utah State University recently released a study on marriage and divorce in Utah by the request of the Governor’s Commission on Marriage.

The researchers tell us the state should be interested in marriage and divorce because “divorce has strong social and economic impacts on everyone regardless of marital status.” In fact, the study tells us Utah is losing more than $300 million a year on divorce. Money makes the world go ’round, so state lawmakers are looking for ways to lower the divorce rate.

One of the most important things the state can do is provide or encourage premarital education. College students spend at least four years learning how to do one particular job, yet most people switch careers several times in their lifetime. Marriage and parenthood are life-long commitments. Young couples planning to marry need to talk to a professional to learn the ABC’s of marriage, such as communication and cooperation, whether they choose to use government resources, university classes or meet with clergy.

A total of 92 percent of study respondents said they believed premarital education was important, yet only 27 percent received some type of counseling. For some reason, people don’t seem to know where to get the help they believe is important. For starters, they can visit www.utahmarriage.org. Information is available for engaged or married couples, who can even sign up for a free online class.

Since statistics show most USU students will marry, they would do well to take advantage of the resources our society offers to encourage strong marriages.