A largely American movement that attempts to restore the 'til death do us part' character of traditional marriage.
In most western countries a quarter to a half of all marriages end in divorce. More and more young people never marry at all - choosing the much less stable option of cohabitation.
Divorce rates are lower in European nations where marriage is still supported by the tax system. America's healthy marriage programmes are also helping to keep families together. But the drift of public policy across the western world - particularly in Britain - has been against marriage. Bit-by-bit the 'specialness' of marriage in the tax, legal and cultural spheres has been eroded.
The covenant marriage movement attempts to make marriage special again. It is available as a legally-binding contract in the US states of Arkansas, Arizona and Louisiana.
Couples entering a covenant marriage agree to premarital counselling and marriage enrichment education thereafter. Should the marriage still run into difficulties the couples are obliged to receive crisis counselling. If they still seek divorce, 'fault' - such as adultery, abuse or criminal activity - needs to be established.
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