Tianjin (CNS) -- Could flaws in marriages be perfected just as ailments are cured? A "marriage hospital" in central Tianjin office building is now providing treatment for these "illnesses."
Not large in scale, this "hospital" is simply decorated. Its introduction on the wall reads: marriage analysts, marriage consultants, conflict researchers, psychological consultants, and legal consultants are in service to maintain marriages and "sew up" intimacy, as well as "break up" marriages without substantial emotions.
Services are clearly labeled: inquiry is priced from 100 to 300 yuan per hour; persuasion from love affairs outside marriage is offered at 5,000 yuan per day; and other business is charged according to the degree of difficulty and content.
The services are not limited to psychological assistance. Mediation for problematic families is also available if needed, according to the general manager of the "hospital."
"Our business is becoming better and better since we opened last month. Every day sees five or six consultation calls on average, four of which are settled perfectly. The biggest single business we have done earned 500,000 yuan (about $77,688)."
Would you turn to this kind of "hospital" in a marriage crisis? Some residents interviewed agreed that they would hope for professional guidance in helpless situations, or simply someone to talk to. Though, it was a bit hard to accept spending money to guard love and marriage.
"The essential solution to a crack in the marriage is to improve the communication abilities of the couple in coping with disputes," noted Dr. Guan Jian, professor at Nankai University.
"Besides, access to professionals should be an option for the public to cultivate a positive attitude towards marriage and love.
"The advent of a marriage hospital will be helpful to ease family tensions to some extent, under regulative guidelines," added Guan.
However, the "hospital" should be mindful of its legal responsibilities to respect the rights of others (such as rights of privacy and reputation), as well as to provide services through proper and legal means.
