On The Brink Of Divorce? Free Honeymoon For You!
Malaysian officials are attempting to curb the soaring divorce rate with free honeymoons.
An eastern state in Malaysia called Terengganu is fighting back at the divorce rate—one honeymoon at a time, says Reuters. The state's department of Welfare Community Development and Women Affairs is now offering couples who are in the midst of marital crisis a free three-day vacation valued at $440 (plus a little counseling).
While the Terengganu did not release its divorce rate, it did conduct a 25-couple pilot program. Judging from the announcement of the state-wide program, officials must have deemed it a success. Perhaps those husbands and wives reclaimed the love that was once lost? Or maybe they just learned to push the animosity and anger down a little deeper. One Essential Post-Divorce Tip
And how's this for reasoning: While it's completely acceptable for newlyweds to divorce, those who have been together decades have no excuse. According to Terengganu, they should stick it out. Considering A Divorce Or Breakup?
It's funny, though, when you think about the words "divorce" and "vacation" together. Our first thought was a post-divorce vacation. Turns out, we're not the only ones. The Grand Velas Resort in Mexico offered the Ultimate Divorce Vacation last year, complete with a lavish spa treatments, ocean-side views, and a consultation with a jeweler on next steps for those engagement and wedding bands.
OK, then. We have to give Terengganu props for attempting to put a positive spin on combining "divorce" and "vacation" and curb the rising divorce rate in a single sweep, and we might just fake marital woes to win one of those lovely three-day getaways.
Readers, what do you think? Vacation as a means to avoiding divorce: good idea or bad idea?
Discussion
First of all, I think I would suddenly develop a marital crisis if I lived there!
For some people, a vacation might be just what they need to help their marriage. Think of the couple that's overwhelmed with kids and work and life. They're busy, they're tired, and they haven't had sex in six months. A vacation takes them out of their everyday life and puts them back in touch with the reasons they got married in the first place (and they get to have sex).
A break from your everyday life is good if you're getting bored or in a rut. It might work if someone is going through a midlife crisis.
A vacation might work if you're going through hard times that aren't caused by your relationship. So if your in-laws are driving you crazy or you're worrying about money or illness, a break and a chance to get in touch with each other again might work. You could go back refreshed and ready to endure your problems.
Even a couple that has more serious problems with each other might be able to benefit from a vacation. It might give them the break they need and a reminder that they love each other. Then when they got home, they could attempt to work things out. The vacation wouldn't be enough for those couples, but it might be a good start.
I've talked myself into it - if you're ever seriously considering divorce, take a vacation first. You can still get a divorce afterward.
Meanwhile, the rest of us should remember to take vacations before we get to the point of wanting a divorce!
