The Changing Dynamic of Marriage: Statistics for 2019

Last updated on: February 19, 2020 at 4:09 pm By Terry Gaspard

During a recent presentation at National Association for Relationship and Marriage Education Summit, Dr. Scott Stanley presented the latest statistical research on marriage, shedding light on the changing dynamics of divorce in younger generations. While we all know the hard to forget fact that 50% of all marriages end in divorce — and while those numbers justifiably cause concern among couples — it is also true that young couples are increasingly bucking that trend. Indeed, half of all marriages between... Read more

Are New Relationship Dynamics the Same as Past Broken Ones?

Last updated on: February 19, 2020 at 4:10 pm By Terry Gaspard

If you think that your new romance or second marriage will be nothing like your former one, think again. A new research study from the University of Alberta showed that over time, couples in new relationships had the same dynamics as past broken ones, after the glow of the honeymoon phase had faded. This eight-year study of 554 people in Germany showed that some relationship dynamics change when we find new partners, but couples are likely to recreate many of... Read more

How to Reverse the Demand-Withdraw Dynamic in Relationships

Last updated on: February 19, 2020 at 4:11 pm By Terry Gaspard

Many couples are stuck in an unfortunate vicious cycle where one partner become more distant as their partner steps up the intensity of his or her pursuits. Unfortunately, if this pattern isn’t reversed it can damage a relationship beyond repair and lead to breakup or divorce. Kyla, 34, put it like this: “The more I ask Conner to hug me and be more affectionate, the more he pulls away and goes into his shell. I love him and we’ve talked... Read more

Good News: Divorce Rates are Declining

Last updated on: August 16, 2019 at 3:33 pm By Terry Gaspard

But does this mean that the institution of marriage hasn’t become completely obsolete yet? Since I believe in marriage, I see the declining divorce rate as positive and believe it’s a good sign that many couples are dating for longer periods and waiting until they get older to marry. For instance, Marisa and Jack met in college at the age of 22 but waited until they had both settled into a job before they got engaged and married in their... Read more

5 Ways to Increase Intimacy and Happiness in Your Marriage

Last updated on: February 19, 2020 at 4:10 pm By Terry Gaspard

Spending periods of quality time doing shared activities alone with your spouse each week is the most important way to deepen and strengthen physical and emotional intimacy. In fact, the amount of time a couple spends alone and with each other, talking, or sharing activities together is a key factor in predicting their overall marital happiness, according to psychologist Eli J. Finkel. In the All-Or-Nothing Marriage, Finkel explains that there has been a 40% decline in the last three decades... Read more

4 Ways to Be More Transparent About Money with Your Partner

Last updated on: February 19, 2020 at 4:12 pm By Terry Gaspard

Despite the fact that money problems are the number one subjects couples argue about and a leading cause of divorce, there are few studies that address the issue of financial secrecy or financial infidelity. The reason why many people keep secrets about money is fear of being abandoned, shame, and fear of being vulnerable due to past betrayal by a parent or partner. Learning how to have productive, low-conflict discussions about money is essential to handling finances in a healthy... Read more

The Pro’s and Cons of Trial Separation

Last updated on: February 19, 2020 at 4:13 pm By Terry Gaspard

In a recent marriage.com article, the pros, cons and positive potential of trial separations in marriages in turmoil is explored. The traditional view of trial separations is that making the decision to create space, or “take time off,” in a marriage is the first of a number of steps on the road to divorce. But increasingly, the initially counterintuitive notion that couples consciously creating distance can actually save a relationship, is being explored. In her article, Kelli Hastings, LCSW delves... Read more

How to Know When It’s Time to Go … To Couples’ Counseling

Last updated on: February 19, 2020 at 4:14 pm By Terry Gaspard

You’ve heard the timeworn — and so often true — cliche: marriage is work. No matter how strong a marriage or remarriage is, couples often encounter a common set of conflicts. Whether early in a new marriage, or after years together, these universal issues tend to revolve around communication, or a lack thereof. In a recent article for the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Adam Borland explains the five most prevalent marital problems and suggests that the solution is as universal as... Read more

It’s Not Too Late to Heal Your Father-Daughter Wound After Divorce

Last updated on: February 19, 2020 at 4:15 pm By Terry Gaspard

All girls deserve to have a positive relationship with their father but this relationship can be strained after divorce. Girls and young women stand a better chance of becoming a self-confident woman if they have a close connection with their father. A dad’s presence (or lack of presence) in his daughter’s life will affect how she relates to all men who come after him. My research for my book, Daughters of Divorce, spanned over three years and was comprised of over... Read more

Are You Headed for a Grey Divorce?

Last updated on: February 19, 2020 at 4:17 pm By Terry Gaspard

In recent years, there has been a lot of traction on the web about grey divorce. If you are over age 50 and have been married for a few decades, the media might have you questioning if your marriage is in on the rocks and you may not even realize it. The Pew Research Center’s report, “Led by Baby Boomers, Divorce Rates Climb for America’s 50+ Population” paints a worrisome portrait of marriage over 50 since they claim that the... Read more