Final answer:
Former spouses often attribute divorce to financial stress and lack of assets. The cycle of divorce in families and differences in child-rearing between combined families also contribute. Children are deeply affected by divorce, yet many still value a strong marital relationship.
Step-by-step explanation:
Former spouses are most likely to blame their divorce on various factors including financial stress, a lack of assets, and differences in discipline techniques with children from previous relationships. The likelihood of divorce increases for couples with lower incomes and less education, and those who do not start their marriage with a strong financial base.
Additionally, children of divorced parents are more likely to experience divorce themselves, which is a pattern that may stem from being socialized into a mindset that a marriage can be replaced rather than repaired.
Moreover, divorces can cause substantial stress on children, affecting their well-being and perspective on family life. However, despite the challenges, most high school seniors still view having a strong marriage and family life as extremely important.
Infants and preschoolers can be most heavily impacted due to the loss of routine, while school-aged children and teenagers may struggle with understanding the divorce and may experience feelings of guilt and loneliness.