| Before Marriage Divorced parents Either partner under age 21 Family opposed Cohabitation before marriage Previous divorce of either partner Large discrepancy in age, background, interests, values (heterogamy) During Marriage Divergent plans and practices regarding child-bearing and child rearing Financial stress, unemployment Substance abuse Communication difficulties Lack of time together Emotional or physical abuse Unsupportive relatives In the Culture High divorce rate in cohort Weak religious values Laws that make divorce easier Approval of remarriage Acceptance of single parenthood |