Covenant marriages, a more restrictive form of marital union, are currently available in three states—Louisiana, Arizona, and Arkansas—and are being considered in 20 others. Under covenant marriage laws, divorce is only allowed for cases of abuse or adultery. If neither condition is met, couples must go through counseling and wait two years before they can separate. This is a stark contrast to the more lenient six-to-12-month separation period required in no-fault divorces.
Proponents, known as the “marriage movement,” argue that these stricter laws will create stronger, more enduring marriages. They believe the moral and legal framework of covenant marriages will lead to more successful unions, ensuring that couples stay together “happily ever after.”
In a study led by Steven Nock, Ph.D., a sociology professor at the University of Virginia, researchers are tracking 600 newlywed couples, half of whom are in covenant marriages. Two years into the five-year study, only one-fourth of the 50 divorces tracked were from covenant marriages.
Nock’s team also surveyed 1,324 people across Michigan, Louisiana, and Arizona, the latter two of which allow covenant marriages. The survey revealed that 60% of respondents thought stricter divorce laws would improve society. However, only 39% expressed strong support for covenant marriage specifically. Despite this, a significant majority—90%—supported marital counseling, while waiting periods for divorce were less popular. These results will be published in the journal Family Relations later this year.
Covenant marriages are seen by some as a response to high divorce rates. However, Nock believes they reflect broader generational shifts. Today’s newlyweds were raised by Baby Boomers, a generation that emphasized contraception and gender equality—values that led to significant changes in marriage, particularly for women. As Nock explains, “When one partner lives very differently from their mother or grandmother, you expect a lot of change from generation to generation.”
Covenant couples tend to be more conservative and religious, but Nock notes the key difference is a deep belief that their relationship is the right one. Whether this strong conviction is why they choose covenant marriages, or if it reflects something inherent in the covenant marriage structure itself, is still under investigation.
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