Final answer:
Having young children, particularly multiples, is a characteristic that increases the likelihood of a couple divorcing due to added stress. Financial instability is another leading cause of marital problems, while overall, young people still value strong marital and family life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic that increases a couple's chance of divorce, among the options provided, is d. having young children. Research indicates that the addition of children, especially the birth of the first child or having multiples, puts significant financial and emotional stress on a marriage. According to Popenoe and Whitehead (2007), this stress is heightened for marriages with multiples, with such couples being 17% more likely to divorce than those with single births. Additionally, a general decline in marital satisfaction over time can contribute to the likelihood of divorce, where spouses' values and life goals may diverge as they age. Financial stress is a well-documented cause of marital strains. For instance, couples who enter marriage without a strong asset base are significantly more likely to divorce than those with stable financial assets. Conversely, a strong marriage and family life remains a high priority for young people, despite witnessing divorce in their own families or in society.