ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author looks at commitment in society. From his perspective on Britain, where he would part company with Fay Weldon is in saying that the therapeutic culture she talks about is part of a much wider social phenomenon. When the author works with couples, he suggests that they make an absolute commitment to staying together for, say, six months. In doing this, they often find that their relationship changes so that problems are more easily sorted out, and both people's needs are met. This does not mean that they necessarily stay together at the end of the six months: some do, some do not. However, even if they decide to separate, they will be able to do so with a sense that they have first of all really worked to meet each other. A prerequisite for saying a proper goodbye is having said a proper hello.
