Fayette County

is one of the most married counties in Georgia; that is, Fayette has one

of the higher percentages of its population married compared to other

counties. That's one reason it's too costly for single people to live

here.

As one of the

most married counties, it also has one of the greatest potential for divorce

to rear its ugly head. Seeds of divorce are being sown in Fayette area

marriages without couples even being aware of it.

Because of

our busy life-style, I have discovered the one big seed of divorce sown

in Fayette is the practice of a lack of communication. On the other hand,

communication is the number one factor for a healthy marriage.

But, we have

to get the kids to soccer practice, music lessons, athletic games, band

practice, etc. We just have to do this. Rarely do husbands and wives handle

this ritual together. Always separate. Waiting on the kids is a singular

activity. Which means no time here to communicate.

Finally at

home. Television has replaced the kitchen round table as venue for the

evening meal. "Would you please be quiet; I can't hear the TV,"

is what we hear, rather than, "Would you please pass the salt?"

In the new age, you want the salt, get up out of your lazy-boy and get

it for yourself.

After "family

time" focused on Police Videos, family members separate: Mom goes

to the kitchen to trash the takeout containers; Dad checks his e-mail

and surfs a while; the kids pretend to do homework while gabbing with

friends either on the family's land-phone or their individual cell phones.

We are not

communicating. The Hatcher home recently discovered we are now communicating

more with our daughter since she's off at college than before. We talk

to her by phone and communicate by Internet. More than former.