Theology Marriage Themes

Friends (mine vs. hers)

Interests & Activities

Hobbies and shared interests

Interests & Activities

Political views or party differences

Interests & Activities

Cost and time spent on hobbies

Interests & Activities

Balance between personal time and couple time

Interests & Activities

Compromise vs. always getting one’s way

Interests & Activities

Expectations of gender roles

Roles in Marriage

Influence of parents’ expectations

Roles in Marriage

Equality in decision-making

Roles in Marriage

Views on feminism or chauvinism

Roles in Marriage

Division of labor at home

Roles in Marriage

Why did I choose this person?

Choice of Partner

Mutual respect

Choice of Partner

Long-term compatibility

Choice of Partner

Emotional maturity

Personal Readiness for Marriage

Temper and anger control

Personal Readiness for Marriage

Public behavior and social conduct

Personal Readiness for Marriage

Affection (too little or too much)

Personal Readiness for Marriage

Prejudices or biases

Personal Readiness for Marriage

Job stability or unemployment history

Personal Readiness for Marriage

Mental health

Personal Readiness for Marriage

Flirting with others

Personal Readiness for Marriage

Belief that “I can change them”

Personal Readiness for Marriage

Shared or conflicting beliefs

Religion

Core values and morals

Religion

Marriage viewed as lifelong

Religion

Importance of God or faith

Religion

Role of religious rules

Religion

Religious influence on raising children

Religion

Pregnancy

Motives for Marriage

Escaping unhappiness

Motives for Marriage

Rebound relationship

Motives for Marriage

Loneliness or low self-esteem

Motives for Marriage

Marriage for looks or money

Motives for Marriage

Guilt over sexual relationship

Motives for Marriage

Pressure from long-term dating

Motives for Marriage

Financial security

Motives for Marriage

Belief marriage will fix problems

Expectations of Marriage

Unresolved personal or family issues

Expectations of Marriage

Problems increasing or decreasing after marriage

Expectations of Marriage

Willingness to help each other grow

Expectations of Marriage

Ability to talk openly

Communication

Listening skills

Communication

Anger management

Communication

Need to always be right

Communication

Talking too much or too little

Communication

Expressing feelings appropriately

Communication

Trust between partners

Emotional Intimacy

Willingness to be vulnerable

Emotional Intimacy

Ability to open up emotionally

Emotional Intimacy

Comfort being alone together

Emotional Intimacy

Balance between couple time and others

Emotional Intimacy

Existing debts

Finances & Home Management

Money saved

Finances & Home Management

Agreement on standard of living

Finances & Home Management

Spending vs. saving priorities

Finances & Home Management

Working toward goals vs. instant wants

Finances & Home Management

Who manages finances

Finances & Home Management

Interference from families

In-Laws

Closeness to parents

In-Laws

Living near one set of parents

In-Laws

Resentment toward partner’s family

In-Laws

Loyalty conflicts

In-Laws

Understanding of sexuality

Sexuality

Beliefs about sex and intimacy

Sexuality

Comfort with affection

Sexuality

Body image or embarrassment

Sexuality

Knowledge gaps about sex

Sexuality

Views on fidelity

Sexuality

Desire to have children

Children

Parenting styles

Children

Religious upbringing

Children

Readiness to be parents

Children

Roles of mom and dad

Children

Number of children

Children

Birth control vs. natural family planning

Children

Cultural differences

Couples from Different Backgrounds

Ethical values

Couples from Different Backgrounds

Socioeconomic status

Couples from Different Backgrounds

Religious differences

Couples from Different Backgrounds

Family traditions

Couples from Different Backgrounds