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This article has comments from two rural women about their unhappy marriages and Dr. Farmer's reaction to how these marriages can be be saved.

This article gives background on an unfortunately typical pattern of how a farm marriage can receive a low priority to the stress and hard work of farming. If not responded to, the marital problems can grow and grow until an unwanted divorce becomes a reality

Farmers tend to have fewer divorces than the general population. The positive reasons have to do with solid religious values, social support and family togetherness prevalent among farm families.

There are practical considerations too

Wife abusive: I read your weekly column, "With Empty Nest, Another Bird Flies Away." I lived a 40-year marriage quite differently. I married a farm girl. Three months after the altar ceremony I became a S.O.B.

Her verbal outbursts continued. I begged her to go to her Pastor for counseling but it was, "You go, you're the one that needs it." Losing patience, I started threatening, "When I have met my obligation to my family, this partnership will be d ...

Recently I have encountered several farmers in their 5Os and 60s who have been left by their wives. These women finally threw up their hands and wanted out. I have met wives in the throes of deciding how to preserve their mental health because of poor marriages. Their husbands have refused to come with them for counseling.

At this age, the nest is empty. The duties and responsibilities of mothering are largely over. The satisfaction of positive relationships with their children ...