Reasons for Divorce and Openness to Marital Reconciliation

Keywords

divorce, divorce attitudes, reconciliation

Abstract

This study explores the factors that divorcing couples say contributed to the breakdown of their marriage and how those factors are related to thoughts and interest in reconciliation. A sample of 886 individual divorcing parents in Hennepin County, Minnesota, in 2008 responded to a brief survey after mandated parenting classes. The two most common reasons given for seeking a divorce were “growing apart” (55%) and “not able to talk together” (53%). Growing apart, differences in tastes, and money problems were negatively associated with interest in reconciliation; abuse and adultery were not associated with interest in reconciliation.

Original Publication Citation

Hawkins, A. J., Willoughby, B. J., & Doherty, W. J. (2012). Reasons for divorce and openness to marital reconciliation. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 53, 453-463.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2012-08-13

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7046

Publisher

Journal of Divorce & Remarriage

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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