This study investigated some of the causes of marital pathology of Zulu couples. Through a questionnaire, the study investigated factors which affect Zulu marriages. It was found, according to thi~ research, that communication and infidelity by Zulu husbands are serious causes of marital pathology. The research also revealed that the historical and cultural nature of the Zulu marriage contributes to marital pathology. The second aim of the research was to investigate the marital therapy of Zulu couples. The question was whether marital therapy works among the Zulus, given the unwillingness of Zulu husbands to be counselled. The researcher found that Zulu husbands are resistant to being counselled. A therapeutic model was designed and used with two case examples. In both cases divorces were averted. This seems to indicate that marriage counselling can restore most of the Zulu marriages if husbands could cooperate in being counselled with their wives. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed.

The increasing demand for couples therapy and its present low success rate led to the question whether Glasser's reality therapy, with its innovative approach, could possibly be of value to couples therapy in South Africa. Glasser emphasizes the importance of healthy personal relationships, freedom of choice and responsibility. In therapy he focuses on the fact that each person has control of what he/she does and thinks and that he/she should take responsibility for it. On the basis of a limited qualitative study, it was found that, with certain reservations, this therapy could make a valuable contribution to the success of couples therapy. Professional persons should be encouraged to apply reality theory in couples therapy, training institutions should train their students in this regard and more comprehensive and in-depth research should be undertaken to determine its value in larger and more representative groups. / Educational Studies / M. Ed.

As sometime course facilitator of the Marriage Preparation Course of my faith community, an Anglican Church of Southern Africa, I had become curious as to what meaning the couples had constructed of their participation in these courses, particularly relating to both the content and style of facilitating the Course. The research finding determined that the main value of the Course had been that the group discussions enabled couples to explore their personal positions on a number of issues related to marriage. The adoption of participative action research as a broad model for the Course is recommended to encourage the engagement between premarital couples and the course facilitator to create/find knowledges and practices that will prepare them for marriage. Furthermore, the course facilitator should adopt a not-knowing, curious stance toward the elements of marriage under discussion, employing the narrative tools of externalisation and deconstructive questioning to facilitate the couples' meaning-making. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th.(Specialization in Pastoral Therapy)

The purpose of this research journey is twofold: 1. To deconstruct the Christ-church metaphor in Ephesians 5:21-33 in pastoral marital therapy. To find a more ethical interpretation of this metaphor which can be used as an aid in marital therapy in order to deconstruct patriarchal stereotypes in marriage. 2. To discover the possible value of such an interpretation for marital therapy as well as to describe the journey with a couple who helped to determine the process by which this interpretation could be used as and aid to deconstruct patriarchal discourses in marriage. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / (M.Th. (Specialisation Pastoral Therapy))

This study investigated some of the causes of marital pathology of Zulu couples. Through a questionnaire, the study investigated factors which affect Zulu marriages. It was found, according to thi~ research, that communication and infidelity by Zulu husbands are serious causes of marital pathology. The research also revealed that the historical and cultural nature of the Zulu marriage contributes to marital pathology. The second aim of the research was to investigate the marital therapy of Zulu couples. The question was whether marital therapy works among the Zulus, given the unwillingness of Zulu husbands to be counselled. The researcher found that Zulu husbands are resistant to being counselled. A therapeutic model was designed and used with two case examples. In both cases divorces were averted. This seems to indicate that marriage counselling can restore most of the Zulu marriages if husbands could cooperate in being counselled with their wives. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed.

Text in Afrikaans / In the light of two literature studies, the nature, origin and consequences of early perceptions of marriage, the form of identities and frames of reference, as well as the resultant origin of an internalized marriage have been explored. An empirical survey was undertaken, with the aid of a specially formulated questionnaire, to investigate the influence of early perceptions of marriage, and thus marriage expectations, on a person's own marriage. The research outcomes show that children do internalize aspects of their parents' marriage and transfer these to their own marriage. There seems to be an important similarity between pattern of communication and conflict management in the original family of questioned subjects and their marriage. Although some subjects have denied the influence of their original family on their marriage, there seems to be a transfer of patterns nevertheless. / Educational studies / M.Ed.(Voorligting)

The aim of this study is to determine the influence of personality type as described by Jungian personality theory on marriage problems and to determine the usability of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to solve problems in the understanding and appreciating of individual personality differences. The research depicts the importance of self-awareness to maintain significant relationships. Self-awareness is conceptualised as an integral part of personality psychology. Accurate personality assessment is described as a means to gain accurate self-awareness. A literature study is done on personality theories to discover what role they play in marriage counselling. The question - where does the personality theory of Jung fit into personality psychology and marriage counselling - is answered. The Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator® as an application of Jungian personality theory and an assessment technique to gain accurate self-awareness is discussed. A literature study of different marriage counselling approaches is presented and the focus of these approaches is discussed. None of these approaches used personality theory explicitly. A marriage counselling approach is developed which integrates the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The approach has five pillars: 1. Developing mutual trust 2. Recognizing and accepting individual differences 3. Giving and receiving feedback 4. Solving problems 5. Letting go of the past The research presents case studies, which confirm that the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator does help individuals and couples to become self-aware and develop awareness of the differences between their personality types. This self-awareness helps to rebuild marital relationships. / Practical Theology / DTH (PRACTICAL THEOLOGY)

This dissertation evaluates the degree of "fit" in employing Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy [EFCT] within the context of congregational ministry and/or a Christian counselling center to counsel evangelical couples who have experienced an "attachment injury." The present study introduces and examines the possibility that, given an appropriate level of theological reflection, EFCT is an appropriate counselling methodology for use by evangelical clergy and counselors. Beginning with an examination of the values, assumptions and practices of EFCT this study explores three dimensions of the interface between EFCT and ecclesiastical practice: a) a theological reflection on the values and assumptions that inform the practice of EFCT; b) a comparison of EFCT with the marital counselling theories of Howard Clinebell, Jr., Larry Crabb, Jr., H. Norman Wright, and Everett L. Worthington, Jr., noting how each of these theories conceptualizes and treats both the marital dyad and emotional experience; and, c) an examination of Christians' perceptions of, and receptivity to, this model. The research demonstrates that the pastoral adaptation of EFCT highlighted in this study was rated favorably but not superior to the other four models. Specifically, it is noted that those who had previously experienced marital counselling, pastoral or otherwise, appeared to be attracted to the EFCT model as it was presented, even though the exemplar did not explicitly incorporate either the use of scripture, prayer, religious homework, or spiritual themes such as forgiveness and mutuality in marriage. The fact that even in the absence of an explicitly spiritual emphasis EFCT received high ratings suggests there is something within the model that speaks to the committed evangelical believer. The study concludes that even though EFCT may not be known within the evangelical community the perspective it offers "fits" with the values of this part of the Christian community and seems to appeal to those who have previously experienced marital difficulties. As a result, it may be stated that EFCT offers a mode of intervention that is suitable for use with evangelical Christians. / Practical Theology / D. Div. (Pracical theology)

Contemporary and traditional sex roles differ in clarity. As such couples find it difficult to share these sex roles because of beliefs and attitudes they hold about them. In an attempt to generate guidelines with regard to the complementary sharing of these roles, sex differences and the nature of sex roles were discussed. Although men and women are similar in some respects, they however have fundamental unchangeable differences. Sex roles on the other hand, have changed drastically over the years. Data was gathered through the use of interviews. The result of this study indicates that men and women hold conflicting beliefs and attitudes concerning the sharing of sex roles. A set of guidelines have been formulated to assist couples to share their sex roles in a complementary way so as to make their homes authentic primary educational environments.. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The New Testament passage that treats the dynamics of the marriage relationship most extensively is Ephesians 5:21-33. This passage is embedded in the Ephesian domestic code, which employs a conventional form used widely in the first-century Mediterranean world and which consequently reflects a patriarchal hierarchy. Does this, however, imply that Ephesians is advocating a marriage relationship that is patriarchal and hierarchical, or does this passage point beyond the particular first-century cultural context to a loftier ideal? Scholars are today divided in their assessments of Ephesians 5:21-33. Some regard the passage as a reactionary accommodation to the status quo, while others excuse this social conformity as being necessitated by a struggle for survival in a hostile first-century world. This thesis seeks to re-read Ephesians 5:21-33 rhetorically against the background of the socio-historical context of the first-century Mediterranean world and prevailing perspectives on the status of women, domestic social structures, and marriage. It takes into consideration the general rhetorical thrust of Ephesians as a whole, the particular way in which Ephesians 5:21-33 is framed textually, as well as the structure, content and uniquely Christological context. Such a re-reading shows that the conventional household code of the first century is in fact infused with a radical transformative ethos which subtely, but significantly, challenges the patriarchal hierarchy. For, it invites readers to step into a new, alternative reality in Christ, thereby entering a place of ongoing reorientation in their marriage relationships, embracing an attitude of mutual submission and other-centred service towards each othera marriage relationship modeled on the relationship between Christ and the church. This points to the conclusion that it is this transformative ethos in Ephesians 5:21-33 that is transculturally normative rather than the first-century patriarchal hierarchy in which it is embedded. This has profound implications for pastoral ministry in present-day South Africa, for readers from more traditional backgrounds often read this passage as simply reinforcing the patriarch ally hierarchical status quo, while readers from less traditional backgrounds may tend merely to dismiss it as archaic and irrelevant. In reality, the transformative ethos of Ephesians 5:21-33 provides an ongoing challenge to both authoritarian hierarchical marriage structures on the one hand, and laissez faire egalitarian marriage relationships on the other, while holding out a compelling vision - a vision of a magnificent other-centred marriage partnership under the lordship of Christ. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Efesiërs 5:21-33 is by uitstek dié gedeelte in die Nuwe Testament wat die dinamika van die huweliksverhouding op die mees uitgebreide wyse behandel. Hierdie gedeelte is onlosmaaklik verbonde aan die Efesiese huisreëls, wat weer gebaseer is op die konvensionele vorm wydverspreid in die eerste-eeuse Mediterreense wêreld, en weerspieël gevolglik 'n patriargale hiërargie. Die vraag is egter of hierdeur geïmpliseer word dat Efesiërs 'n patriargale en hiërargiese huweliksverhouding verkondig, of wys hierdie gedeelte, verby die bepaalde eerste-eeuse kulturele konteks heen, na 'n hoër ideaal? Geleerdes is vandag verdeeld in hulle beoordeling van Efesiërs 5:21-33. Sommige beskou die gedeelte as 'n behoudende aanpassing van die status quo, terwyl ander hierdie sosiale behoudendheid verskoon as genoodsaak deur die stryd om oorlewing in 'n vyandige eersteeeuse wêreld. Hierdie tesis beoog om Efesiërs 5:21-33 retories te herlees teen die agtergrond van die sosio-historiese konteks van die eerste-eeuse Mediterreense wêreld en die heersende sienings van die status van vroue, huishoudelik-sosiale strukture en die huwelik. Dit neem in aanmerking die algemene retoriese strekking van Efesiërs as geheel, die bepaalde tekstuele omraming van Efesiërs 5:21-33, sowel as die struktuur, inhoud en unieke Christologiese konteks. So 'n herlees toon dat die konvensionele huishoudelike kode van die eerste eeu in werklikheid besiel was met 'n radikaal herskeppende etos wat op subtiele, maar betekenisvolle, wyse die patriargale hiërargie uitdaag. Want, dit nooi lesers om 'n nuwe, alternatiewe werklikheid in Christus te betree vanwaar hulle hulself voortdurend kan heroriënteer in hul huweliksverhouding, en 'n houding van wedersydse onderworpenheid en ander-gesentreerde diens aan mekaar aanvaar - 'n huweliksverhouding gemodelleer op die verhouding tussen Christus en die kerk. Só 'n herlees lei tot die gevolgtrekking dat dit hierdie herskeppende etos van Efesiërs 5:21- 33 is wat transkultureel normatief is, eerder as die eerste-eeuse patriargale hiërargie waaraan dit onlosmaaklik verbonde is. Dit bring diepgaande implikasies vir die pastorale bediening in die hedendaagse Suid-Afrika mee, want lesers met 'n meer tradisionele agtergrond lees dié gedeelte dikwels as 'n versterking van die patriargale, hiërargiese status quo, terwyl lesers met 'n minder tradisionele agtergrond mag neig om die gedeelte bloot af te maak as argaïes en irrelevant. In werklikheid voorsien die herskeppende etos van Efesiërs 5:21-33 'n volgehoue uitdaging aan beide outoritêr-hiërargiese huwelikstrukture aan die een kant, en laissez faire gelykmakende huweliksverhoudinge aan die ander kant, terwyl dit 'n dwingende visie voorhou - 'n visie van 'n heerlike ander-gesentreerde huweliksvennootskap onder die heerskappy van Christus.