Counselling report - Many couples finding life traumatic

THOUSANDS of Irish people are finding the pressures of modern life unbearable judging by the latest report from Accord, the voluntary marriage counselling agency of the Catholic Church.

Life has become so traumatic that a record 30,000 counselling sessions involving 8,000 couples were held up and down the country last year.

Political as well as social implications flow from this scenario. In many instances money, or lack of it, is the root cause of family trouble.

This scenario illustrates the need for Government to provide more realistic childcare support. The cost of funding exorbitant mortgage rates is a further source of friction for couples. And because of long commuting distances between home and the workplace, the quality of Irish life is deteriorating.

When all is said and done, however, the biggest cause of unhappiness was that partners are ignoring and insulting each other and finding it hard to settle rows.

By helping couples to iron out their difficulties, Accord is proving its worth.