| Abstract: | This study was aimed at exploring the major changes and challenges the contemporary
marital practices has been facing. For this, the researched had review various resources, both
published and unpublished, so that the theoretical backgrounds were extracted for better data
collection, analysis and interpretation for possible recommendations based on the conclusions
reached at.
The study applied quantitative research method, self-administered questionnaires, that
consisted of both close-ended and open-ended. The instruments were administered for
beneficiaries of Yimesgen Molla Marriage and Family Counselling and Training Center for
58 sample populations who were addressed on available basis. The Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS) was used both for quantitative and qualitative data analysis with
percentage and mean value difference application respectively.
From the respondents, the majority of the participants, i.e., married couples and were living
together; or married but separated; or married but divorced; or married but lost their marital
partner by death, depicted that the contemporary marital life went through tangible and
dependable changes and challenges. Among which prevalence of various types of partnership
and marriage formation practices, living with partners before marriage that might end in
either marriage or separation (cohabitation), mothers entering to the work force, and
singlehood as an alternative to marriage were treated under the key changes marriage today
has been facing. Moreover, the key challenges addressed in this study-included lack of
conflict resolution skills in marital life; gradual reduction of sexual relationship over time
among married couples; lack of communication in marital life; and divorce rate were
thoroughly addressed accordingly. |
