Family Federation Concerned about Divorce Rate

The Family Federation of Finland is marking the launch of "Home Week" with a call for a national couple relationship programme. The organisation is concerned that Finland is in third place in European divorce statistics, right after Belgium and Sweden. An estimated 30,000 children a year have to undergo the divorce or separation of their parents, notes Helena Hiila, managing director of the federation. Split-ups also cause significant economic consequences for society. Hiila estimates that in 2005, about 420 million euros in public assistance was paid out to single parents. The Family Federation calls for more efforts to prevent such problems. For instance, more couples courses and psychotherapy services are needed. YLE