Final answer:
Marital interaction is closely related to happiness, with a stable marriage contributing to adult well-being. Stressors can lead to marital dissatisfaction and divorce, but many still prioritize strong marriage and family life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correlation between marital interaction and happiness is a well-documented concept in social science research. Studies indicate that having a stable marriage contributes significantly to well-being throughout adulthood. For example, Vaillant (2002) finds that a stable marriage supports well-being, while other studies suggest that adult children tend to have a positive effect on parental well-being (Umberson et al., 2010). This relationship can be likened to bond formation in chemistry, where a stable bond, akin to a stable marriage, is typically more favorable. Furthermore, societal constructs often reinforce the importance of marriage and family, as laws and processes frequently favor married couples.
On the other hand, stressors such as childcare responsibilities, financial strain, and diverging life goals can lead to a decline in marital satisfaction and, ultimately, divorce. The financial aspect is significant; couples with stronger asset bases tend to have more stable marriages (University of Virginia's National Marriage Project). Although some young people are postponing or opting out of marriage, those that do marry generally do so with the long-term in mind. High school seniors, for instance, indicate the continuing importance of marriage and family in surveys, with many seeking strong marriages and family life despite the prevalence of divorce and blended family dynamics (Popenoe and Whitehead 2007).