The Student Activities Department in the Student Affairs and Enrolment Department at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) recently organized a series of lectures under the banner, “Together We Plan for Happiness.” These lectures are targeted at university students with the aim of demonstrating the importance of marriage and the foundations of a successful family life. The lectures were delivered by Dr. Yousef Khadr, a consultant in human management and development from the Family Development Foundation. These talks were held in the theater at the College of Information Technology.

These lectures are consistent with the policy of the UAE’s leaders to support Emirati families. The UAE attaches great importance to the institution of marriage and seeks to educate and counsel young Emiratis about the importance of marriage and to introduce them to the many benefits marriage can confer on the individual, the family and wider society. The talks focused on how to avoid or alleviate a variety of potential crises and disputes. This is especially significant in light of the increasing divorce rate in the early years of marriage. This often results from a lack of understanding regarding the choice of a lifelong partner and a failure to acknowledge that the family is the keystone of UAE society.

Dr. Yousef Khadr added that in order to have a stable family life, we should first understand ourselves. If someone does not understand their own strengths and weaknesses this can lead to confrontation and imposing one’s opinion on the other party. Such understanding of the partner can help in avoiding marriage and family based problems and will lead to an enjoyable and stable family life.