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Newsdesk Miscellaneous Divorce rates up as summer of sport takes its toll
Newsdesk Miscellaneous Divorce rates up as summer of sport takes its toll 
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| Divorce rates up as summer of sport takes its toll |
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| Sunday, 11 July 2004 | |
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05 July, 2004: The high tension of this summer's sporting season has officially taken its toll on the nation, with latest figures showing a marked increase in the number of couples applying for a divorce. The tension of Euro 2004, and now Wimbledon, has put pressure on couples who have been less focused on their relationship and more obsessed with sporting events. Make love not war… Telewest Broadband has noticed an unlikely solution to this stressful problem. The cable company has found many couples are now hooking-up their games consoles and playing together online, via high-speed internet connections. Once considered a male domain and an activity for loners and nerds, online gaming is now much more accessible, providing a shared experience for both sexes. With a broadband internet connection and an Xbox or PS2 games console, feuding couples can enter a fantasy world where they can pit their skills against each other, or mix in new social circles with players from all over the world. So even if he's got his mates round to watch the sport and she's at her parents, they can still get online for some quality time. According to Relate and other relationship experts it seems that troubled couples are indulging in this pastime as a much needed way to bond, unwind and rebuild their relationships. Relationship psychologist Susan Quilliam explains this trend: "research shows that people form the closest relationships when they've gone through challenging experiences together – shared adrenaline creates a feeling of identification and closeness. These couples are finding that online gaming is like a detailed personality test because they learn new things about each other, such as the way they each compete, plan ahead and handle disappointment. "Playing online games also allows couples to escape the every day routine of their lives and return to a simpler time where they don't have to behave in a grown up manner. This means their relationship becomes simpler, more childlike and more rewarding." Game set and match… One such couple, Graham and Amy from London, thought it was game set and match for them – the time that Graham was glued to sport meant no time together. As arguments began to reach boiling point, Amy challenged Graham, already a keen gamer, to a game of Red Dead Revolver, as a way to get through to him and share in something he enjoyed. Playing online from different locations, using their consoles and a broadband internet connection, it was the perfect antidote to stress. Amy explains "our aggression really came out when we were playing, but because it was a virtual world it allowed us to get nasty without any real harm being done! It made me realise I like to get my own way and we're both pretty competitive. The adrenaline rush of winning was addictive and that excitement made us realise how much fun we have together." Chad Raube, director of internet at Telewest Broadband, said: "we're de-mystifying online console gaming with simple guides to getting set up on our blueyonder.co.uk website. It is easily accessible, great fun and more people are beginning to enjoy social gaming. "Many of our blueyonder broadband customers have been keen to share their experiences with us. The stories are varied but it appears that online gaming is very helpful for spicing up relationships. Couples who play together stay together." www.telewest.co.uk |
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