SOUTHERN UTAH – Many couples and families are facing financial struggles in these hard times, but one local therapist said the economic downturn might be creating an upswing in the love department.

“This great recession might not be bad in all ways,” said Ben Ashcraft, a marriage and family therapist. “It can be bad for the checkbook, but it may be good for relationships”

“(The economy) doesn’t necessarily for sure explain it, but the divorce rates are falling. And it could be they don’t have enough money to divorce,” he added with a laugh, “but I like to think that it’s because people are becoming more unified and more focused on the basics of life.”

While financial struggles can be the tipping point in a marriage that is already teetering on the brink of dissolution, hardship can actually bring strength to a family that is otherwise intact, Ashcraft said.

“As long as it’s not too much,” he added. “If there’s too much, and the people have too much debt and they’re poor with their money management, it can create so much strain that it becomes all the relationship is about; it’s a conflict. But as long as it’s just a little bit of strain, it can actually move you toward one another and help you get back to the basics.”

With the upcoming Valentine’s Day weekend, just some simple, open time together can be more beneficial than the standard date.

“The greatest gift they can give each other (for Valentine’s Day) is not necessarily going out and wining and dining each other, especially with the economic challenges right now,” he said. “But just give each other the gift of getting real in your relationship and just accept – if you’re struggling financially – your situation as-is and make the most of it as a couple.”

For couples struggling in their relationships, issues like financial hardship can be an impetus that brings honesty and needed change to the relationship.

Wealth can become a sort of cushion between couples that enables them to avoid dealing with their issues, he said, but in tough times, people are forced to work together to survive. Financial troubles can become sink-or-swim situations for couples.

“There’s a quote that is common that says change doesn’t happen when you’re comfortable,” Ashcraft said. “Right now, the economy has made us all uncomfortable, and that leads us to change, and it can really help benefit marriages if we use it right.”

Entire families can be unified by money shortages, he said. When times are prosperous, families tend to think on a grander scale when it comes to spending time together and planning trips and outings. But spending quality time on a tighter budget requires more creativity; planning and carrying out simple and inexpensive activities can open the door to true bonding and relating between parents and children.

“For families right now, if they’re trying to find ways to bond, they don’t have to go out there and spend all their money. Let’s just get to the basics,” Ashcraft said.

“My kids enjoy camping either in the backyard or going to Red Cliffs,” he added. “They enjoy that just about as much as going to Disneyland.”

Activities like renting Redbox movies for $1 and watching them at home can allow families to bond inexpensively, he said, as opposed to spending $60 at the movie theater.

“Couples that are really going to survive through this are the people that are going to make adjustments,” he said. “With the economy changing, the silver lining is people can come back to one another.”