The rate of divorce in America is at the highest point it has ever been. Trying to figure out how to save your marriage is hard because each marriage is completely different. You can look to books, classes, support groups, counselors, or even television shows for advice on how to stay together.

Divorce, the myths and reasons keep couples at risk. Surely, if one thinks for a moment, the adage that one simply “falls into” or “out of love” doesn’t quite measure up to the reasons why some relationships last and indeed thrive, while others disintegrate into a toxic place of rage and abandonment. Until those that adhere to the old myths are made aware of their inaccurate simplicity, the helplessness of having control and managing relationships will forever be unattainable. Within this new found understanding of love, couples will then be able to step out of themselves and this floundering about to a space of compassion, of serving the other, serving the relationship.

However, if cohabitation isn’t a good answer to stem the tide of divorce, then what is? Young explained, “There is good news that can be gleaned from some of these studies. They have found that even though cohabiting doesn’t appear to reduce the divorce rate, there are other variables that come into play regarding divorce, and the insights are encouraging.”

These studies have found that if you are educated (have had some college), with a decent income, came from a non-divorced family, are religious, were married after age 25 and didn’t have children for at least 7 months after you’re marriage, your chances for divorce are slim.

Even if you don’t have all of these factors in your marriage, each factor reduces the chance of divorce rearing its ugly head in your relationship.

Planning For A Lifetime Of Marriage

Armed with this knowledge, young adults can pattern their life goals after tangible standards that will help their chances of having a lasting marriage.

The message is clear, stay in school, prepare to work in a field that pays a decent wage, wait until your 25 to marry and don’t have children out of wedlock.

When asked if these “standards” are achievable, Young explained, “Theses are lofty goals, yet all are achievable regardless of whether you come from a family that has experienced divorce or not.”

There’s Still Hope

So is there hope for baby Suri to grow up in a traditional family environment? Is there hope that Tom and Katie will not only marry but also stay together?

Young vehemently stated, “There’s always hope! We choose our destiny by our daily actions, and the wonderful thing about that knowledge is if we don’t like our direction, we can change our actions.”

Young has posed this question to our readers, “Will you choose to improve your chances and the chances of your children to have a long-term marriage relationship?”

Our reply is, There’s always that hope, as long as we are willing to educate our youth and make a stand for traditional, happy marriages.