Factors leading to marriage instability: a case study of Nsambya Parish

Abstract

Globally, we are witnessing an accentuated deterioration of the family and a certain corrosion of the values of marriage. Separation is increasing even during the first years of married life. Pope Francis observed today’s problematic situations of marriage instabilities that lead to separation. Many marriages become fragile and are quickly overwhelmed by difficulties, or break up after a few years. In the course of every marriage, times will arise in which marital communion diminishes and spouses find themselves experiencing periods, at times lengthy, of suffering, fatigue, and misunderstandings, passing through true marital “crisis. “The number of couples separating publicly and silently is escalating and alarming, due to creating unrealistic expectations before marriage, that once these expectations are not fulfilled, then conflicts begin resulting to a number on consequences like: many households with single-parents, and this has greatly impacted the well-being of children, because most of single parents are unemployed living in slum areas of Kirombe, Kataba among others hence incapable of taking care of their families. There is also social stigma for the separated couples, leading to decline in the community engagement and limiting their support networks and in the end, they end up going through depression, anxiety and substance abuse due to emotional constraints. This study then is intended to make people especially the Christians and church leaders become aware of this urgent challenge. The general objective of the study was to explore the problem of marriage instability and how it can be solved. Specifically the study was to establish the factors leading to marriage instabilities, the effects of separation and explore what can be done to curb the problem of marriage instabilities and separation .The Holy Father Francis has on several occasions expressed his desire for the Church to offer a better and more thorough preparation of young couples for marriage, insisting on the need for a relatively broad approach, inspired by the baptismal catechumenate, which would enable them to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage with greater awareness, beginning with an experience of faith and personal encounter with Jesus. Therefore, having been inspired by the document, produced by the former pontifical council for families and Familiaris Consortio he produced catechumenal pathways to marriage preparation and pastoral accompaniment during the first years of married life. These objectives were realized through different scientific research methods and research designs like descriptive research designs, qualitative and quantitative methods and purposive random sampling techniques were made to inform my research, questionnaires and interview guides were also employed. According to the key findings from the study, it was discovered that marriage instabilities are triggered by both major and minor triggers. The major triggers included incompatibility, financial stress and infidelity and the minor triggers included poor communication, unrealistic expectations, lack of intimacy, addiction and substance abuse, physical and verbal abuse, lack of children among others. It was discovered that effects of separation not only affect the spouses but also the children, the society and the church. The probable solution being emphasis more on marriage preparation through making the preparation longer than three weeks and also ongoing catechesis. A number of recommendations were made which included creating catechumenal pathways for married life, with the aim of making the period longer, advocating for pre-catechumenate in primary schools, accompaniment of the couples and vivid implementation of Synodality.