Final answer:
If a couple marries young, they're likely to believe that their marriage has a higher chance of ending in divorce, due to financial stresses and the cyclical nature of divorce demonstrated by higher rates among those with divorced parents.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a couple marries at a very young age, they are more likely to believe that their marriage will have a higher-than-average probability of ending in divorce. This notion stems from various factors that influence marital stability. Younger couples often face financial stress, particularly if they lack substantial assets like a home, savings, or a retirement plan. Financial stress is one of the leading causes of marital problems. Moreover, statistics show that such couples are 70 percent more likely to be divorced after three years compared to those with at least $10,000 in assets.
Divorce patterns also suggest a cyclical nature, with children of divorced parents being more likely to experience divorce themselves. For instance, children of divorced parents who then remarried are at an even greater risk, with their likelihood of divorce rising to 91 percent. While some may marry with the idealistic expectation that divorce is not an option, the reality of marriage challenges and societal patterns indicates that a youthful marriage is perceived to be at greater risk for divorce.