When a marriage is at risk of a divorce would it make sense to do an experiment where each spouse temporarily lives with somebody of the opposite sex who has the qualities that they think they want?

Answer 1

It can be a worthwhile exercise, but would you be able to accept your partner once he/she has spent time with another person. That can be really tricky. Hence, it is advisable to weigh the pros and cons carefully before venturing out in this manner. Such things can prove to be quite hurtful in the long run. I suggest you should seek the services of a marriage counselor.

Answer 2

Opinion: That plan is extremely unlikely to "help" a marriage that is already on the rocks. The experiment would need to run for a substantial time period in order for the parties to get to know their new partner. It is likely there would be underlying emotional issues seeing a spouse living with someone else. It will add factors that are likely to create new problems especially if one spouse finds they enjoy their new pairing.

Perhaps you should seek the advice of a professional marriage counselor who could review your situation and evaluate your plan after hearing all the details.