By Noelle Lau
The topic of marriage is a common conversations of BYU students and faculty.
But what are the characteristics that lead to successful marriages?
Alan Hawkins, a professor of marriage, family and human development said there are no statistics illustrating the success rates of BYU students, but he said there is a 10 percent divorce rate of temple marriages.
'Predicting the success of a marriage relies heavily on the preparation a couple takes before making vows,' Hawkins said.
BYU professor of marriage, family and human development, Tom Holman is considered the campus expert on the characteristics used to determine a successful marriage by fellow professor, Alan Hawkins.
Holman said research in determining the success of a marriage boils down to three main areas.
The first area of research focuses on the basic background of the couple, Holman said.
This includes each individual''s family situation, for example if their parents are married or divorced and whether or not they get along with their families, Holman said.
The second field of study is the individual characteristics of those involved in the relationship, Holman said.
This includes evaluating individual personalities of the couple, Holman said. Taking into account the tendency an individual has to become depressed and anxious can also influence the successfulness of a marriage, Holman said.
The third area of research focuses on the attitudes and values an individual takes into marriage, Holman said.
These include the couples'' characteristics, how well the couple can communicate and work through problems, as well as each individual''s ability to be unselfish and compassionate, he said.
Within the last two decades a fourth area of research has entered the academic circle, Holman said.
This area includes the stress and environment the couple find themselves in, Holman said.
Researchers did not tend to take into account how an individual''s surrounding could play such a vital role in the success of a marriage, Holman said.
'We do not live in a culture that is supportive of couples and traditional marriage,' Holman said.
After evaluating all of the characteristics that help to determine the potential success of a marriage, the real key into making a marriage successful is to adhere to the nine principles outlined in the 1995 'The Family: A Proclamation To The World,' Holman said.
The proclamation was issued by the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to clarify and declare the church''s stance on the family.
The proclamation reads, 'Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.'
The greatest success in marriage will come by applying these factors within relationships during the transition into marriage and throughout marriage, Holman said.
Above all, couples must remember that a successful marriage takes time and effort, Holman said.
Tara Bingham, 21, a senior majoring in Political Science from Las Vegas, NV, said, 'I believe equality between husband and wife and honesty in all things are among the most important issues in achieving a successful marriage.'