TV show undermines the importance of marriage

Family support charity Scottish Marriage Care (SMC) today voiced its concerns over glamour model Jodie Marsh's reality TV programme to find a 'husband' and marry him on TV.

Jodie Marsh and the MTV crew making the series will film the Scottish leg of the programme tomorrow night with auditions for a potential 'husband' taking place in a nightclub in Edinburgh.

But SMC, a charity with more than 40 years experience in the specialist field of relationships, believes the 'marriage' is almost certainly destined to fail.

"Good marriages don't just happen, they are constantly evolving and changing and need to be worked at. The key skill is communication and being able to negotiate; relationships need constant attention," said SMC Chief Executive Mary Toner.

"Recent research has found that marriage is still the 'gold standard' to which couples aspire, but this programme totally undermines that premise. It is simply a dangerous and irresponsible example to set."

There were 13,013 divorces in Scotland in 2006, an increase of 19 per cent on the preceding year. It has been estimated that divorce costs the British economy between £15 and £20 billion each year, £4 billion in Scotland. Research conducted recently by Norwich Union found the cost of divorce for the average couple was £28,000.

"Marriage is not something to be entered into lightly. It is a life-long commitment. Moreover the legality is that a marriage is void if either party to the marriage gives consent under duress or error or doesn't understand the nature of marriage. This means that if either Jodie Marsh of her 'husband' aren't fully aware of what they're undertaking they simply cannot legally get married," said Mary Toner. 

"If Jodie Marsh is genuinely committed to making this marriage work I recommend her and her 'husband' undertake pre-marriage services. Pre-marriage intervention can improve a couple's communications skills, conflict management and thus overall relationship quality."

SMC offers pre-marriage relationship services in the form of 'FOCCUS' (Facilitating Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study). 'FOCCUS' relationship inventory helps couples learn more about themselves and their unique relationship, raising awareness of the key components of a successful relationship. 'FOCCUS' is not a pass or fail test and cannot predict marital success or failure but it highlights the areas where the relationship could be developed. 'FOCCUS' is a supportive, helpful, positive process for couples before they enter into a committed relationship.

For further information, please contact:

April Mitchinson, Research and Communications Manager
Scottish Marriage Care, 72 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 7DA

Phone:0141-222 2166
Fax: 0141-222 2144
E-mail: Info@ScottishMarriageCare.org

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