State senators held a series of hearing two weeks ago across the state and discussed a litany of issues including a growing divorce rate and an alternative to the costly contested divorces, child support issues, alimony, abuse of the system by litigants and the number of judges in the system.
A key item on the panel's list of objectives is an analysis of current law to determine if the state should encourage greater pre-marital counseling to reduce the divorce rate.
Senators may have hit on a key element here. Many churches require extensive marriage counseling before a couple marry. Many others would say that it is none of the state's business, but when it affects so many people, maybe the state should do a little encouraging.
While the nation's divorce rate is dipping slightly, at 18 per 1,000, it is still twice the rate as in 1960, according to the nonpartisan national Marriage Project. The project also reports that the number of heterosexual couples living together has climbed from 439,000 in 1960 to 5 million in 2004, which may be an indicator of the reason for the drop in divorces.
Americans take instruction for any number of things, including driving a car, piloting an airplane, using a computer. Shouldn't something as complex as marriage require a least a discussion with people who can offer advice?
Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, chairman of the Family Court study subcommittee, wants to make the Family Court system more responsive, less expensive and more efficient. Today the committee will meet in Columbia to discuss this work further.
Strain engulfs the system that has an impact on thousands of families. This system that has the exclusive purview of domestic and family relationship deserves a thorough examination.