Life Skills in Marriage: A Sociological Study on Premarital Counselling and Marital Satisfaction

In the context of rising divorce rates and increasing marital conflict in Kerala, this study examines the significance of life skills and premarital counselling in fostering healthy marital relationships. The objectives of the study were to assess awareness of life skills among married individuals, analyze the impact of premarital counselling on marital satisfaction, and explore gender-based differences in decision-making, communication, and conflict resolution. A qualitative research design was used, involving in-depth interviews with participants from Malappuram and Kozhikode districts, including both those who had received premarital counselling and those who had not. Findings reveal that most individuals lacked life skills education, and many were unprepared for the emotional, sexual, and social demands of marriage. Those who had received counselling showed higher levels of empathy, better communication, healthier conflict resolution, and greater marital satisfaction. In contrast, those without such preparation experienced misunderstandings, forced sexual encounters, lack of decision-making power, and domestic conflict. The study emphasizes the urgent need for integrating life skills and premarital education into schools and community programs.