Who should women talk to about their marital problems?

But Irene insists that she can comfortably relate to her friend.

“You need to be age-mates if not one who has spent as much time in marriage as you or fairly close period of time. But those who have spent a longer time in marriage can come in if things are deep or serious,” she said. Ritah strongly believes that the best people to talk to are friends because they are always readily around to offer a listening ear. “Counsellors may not be with you as friends are,” she added.

Matron, mentors and marriage counsellors
Florence has been married for six months and has a strong attachment towards the woman she chose as her matron on her wedding day. She would definitely run to her in case she needed to talk about something.

“My matron is a mentor and counsellor to me. I can still talk to her about any sort of issues in my marriage,” she said.

Jennifer too argues for the matron as very important in the ‘sharing’ equation.

“A matron’s major job is to listen to the new bride and advise where necessary. That’s why some churches insist on the bride having a married woman for her matron,” she said.

Talk to God
Above all, Jennifer who has been in it for 14 months, says, “there is the Almighty God!” One more extremely important ‘person’ you can count on is God. He listens very patiently and you can throw anything at him.

“A young married can pour out her heart to Him, even if it means that insignificant issue,” she said.

Four weeks into her matrimonial home, Monica says, God has provided strength and favour in mysterious ways that have enabled her handle marriage issues she would never have dreamed of handling. After witnessing, firsthand God’s role when she was getting married, she believes God can also offer the best “listening ear” or shoulder to lean on.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com