Turkey contemplating compulsory pre-marital psychological evaluations for potential partners
The Turkish government has announced a new initiative aimed at strengthening family structures and reducing early divorce rates. The pre-marital psychosocial support system is a key step in this plan, which will provide counseling and support to couples before and during their marriage.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address socio-economic and cultural factors affecting marriages in Turkey. The government believes that by identifying potential problems early and providing guidance, they can promote social stability and address demographic concerns such as the sharply declining population growth and the increase in domestic violence reports.
Under the proposed regulations, couples planning to marry would need to undergo a pre-marital psychological assessment. This assessment is intended to encourage transparency between partners about potential issues that could cause problems in their marriage. The aim is to help couples build healthier marital relationships and prevent unnecessary divorces.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Turkey is emphasizing the need for this system, believing that concealed issues often lead to escalating conflicts and sometimes divorce. The AK Party's focus on transparency suggests a recognition of the importance of open communication in maintaining healthy relationships.
In addition to the pre-marital psychosocial support system, the government is also planning post-wedding support to address conflicts and prevent unnecessary divorces. This support will include a counseling and support system to assist couples in maintaining healthy marriages.
The new regulations, if implemented, would require couples in Turkey to obtain a suitability certificate, often referred to as an "approval report," before being allowed to marry. This certificate would be based on the results of the pre-marital psychological assessment and other mandatory health screenings.
The introduction of pre-marital psychology and health assessments for future couples in Turkey is driven by initiatives typically linked to governmental health and family welfare organizations. However, no specific individual or group name is clearly identified in the search results.
The AK Party believes that the pre-marital psychosocial support system can help couples build healthier marital relationships and reduce early divorce rates. By promoting transparency, open communication, and early intervention, the government hopes to strengthen the family institution in Turkey and address the issues of domestic violence and early divorce.
