THE authorities recently announced the launch of an assessment program for prospective brides and grooms. Undoubtedly, this program will enhance the skills of young men and women who want to get married, and also tackle any weaknesses that they may have. It consists of reading courses and techniques to help couples start off on the right foot and learn how to deal with problems they may encounter in the bumpy road called marriage. The program is currently being tested, but will apparently become a must for men and women who want to tie the knot, just like the medical checkup and the consent of the guardian of the bride which are requirements for marriage contracts. However, will the new program solve the problems that married couples face when they begin their married lives? The program may be like an exam that needs to be passed, which means that it might create anxiety for those who take it. For a marriage to be successful, marriage contracts should clearly state the rights of husbands and wives and protect these rights without prejudice to any party when a dispute arises. Such contracts should focus on today's common marital problems. The Ministry of Labor and Social Development has never directly dealt with marital problems; instead, it gives this responsibility to the Ministry of Justice. As a result, the courts continue to receive an avalanche of cases. Some cases have not been solved in a way that is fair to both parties because the provisions of the marriage contract do not take into consideration whether the husband and wife think in the same way. The above-mentioned program will be run by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development which is a good thing. However, it does not need to focus on exams to prepare individuals before marriage. It should concentrate on designing preventive and remedial measures that should be taken before and after a marriage contract is executed. For example, the ministry can require future husbands and wives to take certain courses which explain the rights, duties and responsibilities of both parties. No party is allowed to infringe on the rights of the other. The most important thing is that both parties should understand that marriage is based on affection and love. The ministry should require the bridegroom and the bride to provide accurate information about their medical, financial and cultural backgrounds. Of course, this information will be treated with confidentiality and will help prevent disasters. Such information is important for protecting the rights of both parties. The ministry should work with the Ministry of Education to design school curriculums that help both genders learn how to treat one another. Our young men and women should be aware of such skills. It is easy today for men and women to meet online on social media websites and to get involved in illicit relationships. The ministry should set up committees that specialize in amicably resolving marital disputes before such disputes end up in court. Resorting to courts should be the last solution because this has a major impact on the psychological health of children. Allow me to remind everyone that marriage is not mathematics, law or theory; it is a holy matrimony between a woman and a man. If we want it to last, we have to ensure that it is built on a strong foundation.
