Predicting Marital Success #5

People marry for many reasons. Possibly the most important reason is that one has found a person who will be a true and loving companion through the years. This feeling of mutuality which endures and binds marriage partners together comes from a variety of qualities each brings to the marriage. Before marriage it is helpful to explore these areas with your prospective husband or wife. This will help you to know and understand each other better. And an appreciation of your differences and similarities will aid you in making adjustments and living together harmoniously as life companions. TASTES AND OPINIONS No two people will agree perfectly in this area, but a difference of opinion adds zest to a friendship. The ability to differ and be friends, to argue constructively on an issue is a definite sign of maturity. However, it is helpful to learn to appreciate the other person's points of view and the reasons that he holds them. By so doing, people find a deep harmony. There is also great delight in finding that the other person thinks the way you do and enjoys doing some things exactly as you do. It is hoped that these experiences will be had while you work with this material in this section. The points that follow will help to show the likenesses and the differences. Where the differences are great they will call for growth toward better understanding and a common mind. (Please circle the number that best describes your feeling) 1 – Yes 2 – Probably 3 – Not sure 4 – Probably not 5 – No a) The enjoyment of food is one of life's chief pleasures. b) I like antique furniture better than modern design. c) Bargain sales are particularly attractive to me. d) There is a lot of truth in "Clothes make the man." e) It is quite all right to borrow money whenever it is needed. f) I prefer eating out several times a week. g) I believe in writing my congressmen about a social, economic, or political problem which I think is important. 1 2 3 4 5 h) My idea of an ideal summer vacation is taking a long trip to see the country. 1 2 3 4 5 i) I am a frequent attendee at musical concerts 1 2 3 4 5 j) I prefer opera to musical comedy. 1 2 3 4 5 k) Forums or meetings of public interest receive my enthusiastic support and attendance. 1 2 3 4 5 l) When I am with friends we frequently discuss social problems. I will fight for passage of laws which I think necessary. 1 2 3 4 5 m) I read the editorials of my newspaper regularly. 1 2 3 4 5 n) I am interested in problems of juvenile delinquency in my community. 1 2 3 4 5 o) I have helped or would help to eliminate racial discrimination in my community. 1 2 3 4 5 p) I believe the greatest threat to the world is socialism. 1 2 3 4 5 q) Socialism offers some solutions to our present-day problems. 1 2 3 4 5 r) I think another world war is inevitable. 1 2 3 4 5 s) I am very careful to find out the nature of a motion picture before attending it. 1 2 3 4 5 t) I believe that the church is absolutely necessary for the good of the world. 1 2 3 4 5 u) Sometime in the future I would like to do jury service. 1 2 3 4 5 v) Ministers of churches should avoid preaching about economic and political questions. 1 2 3 4 5 w) I am against picketing by any group. 1 2 3 4 5 x) People with large incomes should be taxed heavily. 1 2 3 4 5 y) I should attend church three or more times a month. 1 2 3 4 5 z) The amount of profit a person can make should be limited by the government. 1 2 3 4 5 A) I believe that the Republican party is more nearly right than the Democratic party. 1 2 3 4 5 B) When reading a newspaper I am more apt to read the comic strips, sport section or society page before reading the front page articles or the editorials. 1 2 3 4 5 C) I believe in buying only the best quality clothes. 1 2 3 4 5 D) I believe in "keeping up with the Joneses." 1 2 3 4 5 E) One should try to be acquainted with all his neighbors. 1 2 3 4 5 F) I like to go out of my way to help others and to make friends.