These initiatives coincided with plans by the Australian Institute of Family Studies and the Australian Catholic University to conduct a round table discussion on premarriage education. The idea for the round table grew out of the recognition that, while generally supportive, empirical evidence of the efficacy of premarriage programs is thus far unconvincing. To ensure that resources are allocated appropriately, further verification that premarriage preparation does in fact help Australian couples develop stronger and more stable relationships is required. The round table, held at the Institute on 9 September 1999, was attended by relationship professionals from across the country. Purpose of premarriage education In general, premarriage programs seek to engage couples in the processes of reflection and skills training with the aim of promoting and supporting the development of strong and stable relationships.
Some programs combine both inventory and group formats.
Some programs take the form of formal or informal discussions with a religious celebrant. Premarriage programs are often perceived incorrectly by the general public as being steeped in religion, probably because couples typically come into a premarriage program via the church in which they plan to marry. Some programs contain references to Christian marriage, but this is by no means a defining feature of all such programs. Status of premarriage research Practitioners have few doubts as to the effectiveness of premarriage education - a belief stemming from their own experiences with couples. While the anecdotal evidence of the benefits of premarriage education is compelling, the empirical research, although generally supportive, is less convincing.