IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, 11 February 2003

A new study has found that combat veterans are 60% more likely than non-combat men to get divorced, putting combat experience into the top ten list of high risk factors for family breakdown. 

Sven Wilson, assistant professor of political science at Utah University said, "We found that combat experience is an important risk factor for divorce or separation," adding, "Traumatic experiences like combat seem to have a persistent impact on the ability of people to form and maintain successful relationships."

This week is National Marriage Week and while Blair and Bush think about breaking down Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, it is ironic that war would unleash just such a weapon - hitting right at the heart of our own domestic life.

Former helicopter pilot in the Falklands war Harry Benson, who is now Project Director of Bristol Community Family Trust - a project devoted to helping marriages work well said, "Having fought in the Falklands war, I know just how hard it is to talk about combat experiences - especially to those closest to you.  I didn't talk to anyone for at least 5 years and it took me until last year, the 20th anniversary of the Falklands, to really feel like I had come to terms with the experience properly," said Harry.  "My marriage of 16 years nearly broke apart some years ago and I feel sure my combat experiences played their part in this.  I have cried and broken down many times in private but had rarely been able to discuss my experiences and memories with my wife Kate - even though I could otherwise talk to her about anything."

Marriage education and recognition of the problem, which may be a mild form of PTSD, can undoubtedly help. Just knowing that talking is needed, that it is OK to talk and knowing how to talk to one's spouse can all be learnt through simple marriage education courses. The US military is increasingly using such courses that some studies found reduced divorce risk by as much as 80% over 5 years. Britain should follow suit if it wants to avoid further acceleration of family breakdown.

Benson, through Bristol Community Family Trust, offers courses to any couple getting married in Bristol. He is also looking for ordinary couples who have been married for ten years or more to act as mentors. Training for mentor couples would be appropriate for veterans and non-veterans alike.

Elsewhere in the country, married education courses of all sorts are increasingly available through Community Family Trusts, Marriage Registrars and churches.

Other factors in the top ten divorce indicator list are parental divorce, second marriage, prior cohabitation, getting married young, having a defensive personality, poor communication, difficulty handling differences, having different beliefs, and low level of commitment.

Ends

Notes:

For further information contact Harry Benson on 0117-924 1480 or email on: info@bcft.co.uk
Contact NMW on 07702 426500
www.2-in-2-1.co.uk