Separation and Reconciliation in American Marriages

Using 1987-88 National Survey of Families and Household data, this study examines the process of separation and reconciliation in American marriages. For many couples, a period of separation and reconciliation has occurred in their current marriages and preceded divorce in earlier marriages. The temporary separations are not all short in duration; slightly more than one-quarter last over five months. Multiple reconciliations are quite common, as about one-third of the divorced women who attempted a reconciliation, had three or more temporary separations. Blacks are more likely to attempt a reconciliation and to have more than one temporary separation than whites. An analysis of the patterns of reconciliation by various sociodemographic variables show that education and age at first marriage are inversely associated with having had a reconciliation. The implications of these findings are discussed.