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SINGAPORE: Latest figures from the Department of Statistics showed that more than half of divorces in Singapore occur within the first nine years of marriage.
For Mr and Mrs Mohamad Abubakar, their marriage is all about the little things.
"We tolerate each other, and do not make an issue of minor things. We just let it go," said the couple, who have been married for 34 years.
Among non-Muslim couples, 36 per cent of those who get divorced typically do so between five and nine years, while 12.6 per cent of divorces take place within five years after marriage. And in contrast, among Muslim couples, 32.7 per cent of divorces happen within the first five years of marriage.
Marriages that last only five to nine years account for 27.2 per cent of divorces.
Simon Sim, who organises marriage preparation workshops, said that not all couples who go to him are prepared for the commitment.
Mr Sim said: "Marriage is not a one-day event, it is really a marathon. And sometimes marriages break down in the initial years because they are not strong enough to hang in there.
"Maybe, if they get over the hump, maybe after five years, things will stabilise and it is not so bad after all. But if you give up too easily, then one never knows whether the marriage will work or not.
"Given the very nature of society now, everything is throw away - you can try a new thing. Maybe it has gotten into marriage even. They say if it doesn't work, why don't we give it up and try a new one?"
Marriage Central - a body under the National Family Council that promotes healthy relationships - wants to arrest this trend by appealing to the young.
It is going into the neighbourhood, by setting up a resource point in Jurong Regional Library, in addition to its website and Facebook page - which include everyday tips like how to please one's in-laws.
The collaboration with the National Library Board will see two more resource points set up by 2012.
Using websites to promote a happy marriage may raise some eyebrows, but a recent survey by Marriage Central showed that there is a demand for such resources. About three in five respondents said they would like to see more activities, like talks and workshops, to help strengthen their marriage.
One such couple is Francis Ang and Adeline Yew, who said they have no issues going online for marriage tips. They will be registering their marriage on December 26, and they are clear on what will keep their relationship going.
"Communication is very important. A lot of couples, usually when they have a fight, they tend to not talk to each other, not communicate. And if things don't go through, it is going to accummulate and become a bigger issue," said Mr Ang.
Marriage Central's survey also showed that over nine in ten agree on the importance of staying together.
Statistics showed that there has been a light dip in divorce rates between 2007 and 2008. Additionally, 7,241 divorces and annulments were recorded in 2007, compared to 7,220 in 2008.
- CNA
For Mr and Mrs Mohamad Abubakar, their marriage is all about the little things.
"We tolerate each other, and do not make an issue of minor things. We just let it go," said the couple, who have been married for 34 years.
Among non-Muslim couples, 36 per cent of those who get divorced typically do so between five and nine years, while 12.6 per cent of divorces take place within five years after marriage. And in contrast, among Muslim couples, 32.7 per cent of divorces happen within the first five years of marriage.
Marriages that last only five to nine years account for 27.2 per cent of divorces.
Simon Sim, who organises marriage preparation workshops, said that not all couples who go to him are prepared for the commitment.
Mr Sim said: "Marriage is not a one-day event, it is really a marathon. And sometimes marriages break down in the initial years because they are not strong enough to hang in there.
"Maybe, if they get over the hump, maybe after five years, things will stabilise and it is not so bad after all. But if you give up too easily, then one never knows whether the marriage will work or not.
"Given the very nature of society now, everything is throw away - you can try a new thing. Maybe it has gotten into marriage even. They say if it doesn't work, why don't we give it up and try a new one?"
Marriage Central - a body under the National Family Council that promotes healthy relationships - wants to arrest this trend by appealing to the young.
It is going into the neighbourhood, by setting up a resource point in Jurong Regional Library, in addition to its website and Facebook page - which include everyday tips like how to please one's in-laws.
The collaboration with the National Library Board will see two more resource points set up by 2012.
Using websites to promote a happy marriage may raise some eyebrows, but a recent survey by Marriage Central showed that there is a demand for such resources. About three in five respondents said they would like to see more activities, like talks and workshops, to help strengthen their marriage.
One such couple is Francis Ang and Adeline Yew, who said they have no issues going online for marriage tips. They will be registering their marriage on December 26, and they are clear on what will keep their relationship going.
"Communication is very important. A lot of couples, usually when they have a fight, they tend to not talk to each other, not communicate. And if things don't go through, it is going to accummulate and become a bigger issue," said Mr Ang.
Marriage Central's survey also showed that over nine in ten agree on the importance of staying together.
Statistics showed that there has been a light dip in divorce rates between 2007 and 2008. Additionally, 7,241 divorces and annulments were recorded in 2007, compared to 7,220 in 2008.
- CNA
