What is a healthy marriage?

A healthy marriage is a safe, secure, loving relationship that is built on friendship, passion, and commitment. Healthy marriages are strong relationships that can bear the burden of life's challenges. They are partnerships based on respect, trust, and a willingness to communicate and resolve differences. They also help each individual grow as a person; and a research shows a healthy marriage benefits the couple and any children involved – emotionally, physically, psychologically, financially, academically, and in many other practical ways.

Creating a healthy marriage takes knowledge, skills, patience, and LOTS of practice, especially during difficult times. Building a loving, safe, and secure marriage does take work. Yet, it can also be exciting and fun, and it's definitely rewarding.

Researchers have learned that individuals and couples can gain the knowledge and skills it takes to develop a healthy marriage. This knowledge can help you avoid some common pitfalls. And the skills can become important habits that nurture and strengthen your marriage as well as your relationships with your children and other family members and

friends. We don't yet have all the answers about how to ensure a successful, healthy marriage. But we do know that couples who have satisfying marriages and who tend to stay married over time have certain patterns in their relationships.

So, how can you learn what it takes to have a successful marriage? One option is to try marriage education; as it can help you develop the skills and habits you'll need.[1]

[1] Source: National Healthy Marriage Resource Center , “About Marriage,”