Lifestyle

always single

little difference in satisfaction with life between married and ___________

marriage

more satisfied with life than the divorced or widowed

marriage

most common relationship status for middle-aged adults

marital satisfaction

increase for many couples in midlife as children are leaving home

divorce

2/3 initiated by women

divorce

takes place within the first 5-10 years of marriage

graying of divorce

less stigma attached to divorce today than in the past

graying of divorce

due to women out-earning spouse, increase in human longevity, living with incompatible spouse

early adulthood

WHEN? divorces are angrier and conflictual, with partner blaming other for failures in marriage

middle adulthood

WHEN? divorces abt grown apart, cooling off of relationship

women

concern for divorce:

verbal and physical abusiveness of their partner, drug/alcohol abuse, and infidelity

men

concern for divorce:

fallen out of love, no longer shared interests or values, infidelity

divorce

more stressful for women due to financial problems

enhancers

ppl had used the experience to better themselves and seek more productive intimate relationships

competent loners

ppl used their divorce experience to grow emotionally, but who choose to stay single

women

competent loners - overwhelming majority were ____________

remarriage

if with children:

shorter courtship

less going out and more time spent in activities at home or with children

gatekeep

regulate the flow of information about their new romantic partner to their children

gatekeep

attempt to balance their own needs for romance with consideration regarding the needs and reactions of their children

remarriage

have declines

but some successful if divorce motivated self-improvement

if no self-improvement = marriage is same

remarriage

may have general lack of clarity in family roles and expectations when trying to incorporate new kin into fam structure

children

increases single men's likelihood of marrying a women with children

child- & adult-focused parent

types of parents when selecting new partner < (2&)

child-focused parent

types of parents when selecting new partner:

allows the child's views, reactions, and needs to influence the repartnering

adult-focused parent

types of parents when selecting new partner:

expects that their child can adapt and should accommodate to parental wishes

divorced custodial mothers

types of parents when selecting new partner:

more adult focused tended to be older, more educated, employed, and more likely to have been married longer

adult-focused parent

types of parents when selecting new partner:

mothers with less rapport with childre, less time in joint activities with children, child lower rapport with mother

adult-focused parent

types of parents when selecting new partner:

mothers responded more to the concerns of the partner

child-focused parent

types of parents when selecting new partner:

mothers responded more to the concerns of the child