When you hear startling statistics such as this: “Couples in their first marriage have a 50/50 chance of making it or not,” any couple might become extra cautious when dealing with marriage. Fortunately, engagement coach Doyle Hamilton is helping engaged couples by putting them through a relationship “boot camp” before they walk down the aisle, according to CNN.

“The No. 1 indicator of divorce is not conflict,” Hamilton told CNN. “The No. 1 indicator of divorce is the AVOIDANCE of conflict. Marriage is hard work. We want you to program that into your brains.”

Because of rising divorce rates, more and more engaged couples are participating in premarital workshops to help strengthen their relationship before they tie the knot. The workshops encourage couples to discuss hot button issues that could later affect their relationship. According to the article, the most controversial topics are money, religion, children and sexuality.

“If you don’t deal with what you need to deal with, it will go underground and it will eventually raise its ugly head,” Hamilton said.

Would you participate in a premarital workshop?