ADVICE ON MARRIAGE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25084, 16 January 1947, Page 8

ADVICE ON MARRIAGE

EXPERIMENTAL BUREAU in London COMBATING RISING DIVORCB RATE (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, Jan. 4, An interesting organisation of great potentialities has recently been founded in London by a famous anthropologist and a Harley Street psychologic to assist men and women to prepare scientifically for marriage. Perturbed at the mounting divorce rate, they decided to open an experimental advisory bureau in an effort to coixbat the unhealthy trend by preventing unsuitable matches. “In the three weeks we have been operating we have found that many young people wanting to marry art emotionally immature,” the psychologist has stated. “Emotionally, they art children, and quite unfitted to enter into what should be a lifelong partnership. If they will come to us wt will endeavour to awaken them to a realisation of what marriage really is and what it requires of both parties, We will examine a person and give advice as to qualities to be sought for in a mate suited to the temperament and mental outlook of the individual. Already more than 100 inquiries have been received from would-bt brides and bridegrooms from all over Britain. Ages range from 21 to 60, and inquirers include teachert, a headmistress/ a doctor s widow, railway porters, a professor, and businessmen. By far the largest- proportion of inquiries for assistance and however, have come from former ser-j vicemen, principally from the Royal Air Force. They are mostly men -who made hasty marriages before going:, abroad and returned to find thenM selves tied to unfaithful wives wnosfc conduct they could not forgive. of them are already divorced and » fore remarrying want to take all prtg sible precautions to see tnai unara second marriage will be the raw choice. They want a proper honjU» with a wife and children and ready to go to great lengths to WMB on a proper foundation. “There are 54,000 divorce caja ; scheduled for next year,” one of tW society’s founders has stated. ine proportion of unhappy marriages where the parties arc living apart must be much larger. These days it » refreshing to meet people, either young or old. who are really anxious to prepare scientifically for marriage. Because they view it so seriously, these are the men and women who are sure to achieve the happiness they J de -I7i r e Ve 'founders have spent several thousand pounds equipping their clinic, and while at present a smau charge is made for advice, they arthopeful that as soon as initial cost® have been met it will be possible to make the service a free one and jjfl open similar centres in all Britain® main cities. The society has earned the approval of the Marriage Guidance Council, and psychologists and the Churches are watching its progress with interest.