Even more likely, they don't seek help at all, not even from their clergy, according to studies that show from 5 to 25 percent of divorcing couples have never had counseling of any kind. Marriage-education courses make exercises out of stable couples' typical behaviors. Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program, Relationship Enhancement and Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills and Couple Communications are among the most widely known. Sollee hopes more people will take notice of research proving that such courses can save marriages. That's not what we're talking about.
Marriage education is more like parenting education.
They're most frequently taught in a classroom, a less intimidating environment than a therapist's couch, says Sollee, who finds teaching the skills to individual couples doesn't work as well. Every example I use, they assume I've sized them up. Their defenses get in the way. But in a classroom with 40 people with all the women laughing at the same point and all the men grunting at the same point, you don't take it personally. Participants give only their first name, she says, and are not asked to reveal any relationship horror stories.