Couples seek help over rising pressures
Figures released yesterday show a record 30,000 counselling sessions were delivered by Accord to 8,000 clients last year, half of whom were married couples.
The average couple turning to Accord for help was aged between 30 and 40 and had been married for 12 years. More than 70% had children and of these children, 77% were under the age of 11.
Accord director of counselling John Farrelly said their clients were “ordinary couples” facing life challenges “brought about by having children, both parents working outside the home, less family quality time due to increased working hours and time spent commuting, and trying to reconcile family budgets”.
Among the most common causes of unhappiness were partners being critical of one another, insulting each other and not listening, inability to resolve conflict and dissatisfaction with task-sharing in the home, particularly childcare and housework.
Mr Farrelly said being part of a successful economy added to relationship pressures for their latest generation of clients.
“There’s a definite trend in this generation coming to Accord. Generally they are couples with kids under the age of 11 with this idea of being part of a successful nation. But unfortunately what’s needed for economic success is not the same as what is required for balancing family life. There’s a lot more pressure now.”
The emotional framework of the family, traditionally provided by the woman, was under pressure, Mr Farrelly said, with many women working outside the home.
Marriage remains the most popular form of setting up a family, although people are getting married later.
Increasingly, clients were attending Accord as couples, Mr Farrelly said, showing both sides of the union wanted it to work.
