Adult Years

© Robert J. Atkins, Ph.D.

What does marriage do for society?

• Inheritance rights• Structured economic

partnership• Regulating sexual behavior• Childrearing

How is cohabitation different than marriage?

• When cohabitating couples marry, they have a greater risk of divorce than those couples who did not cohabitate.

• Many believe long term commitment not necessary for living arrangement

• Not a substitute for marriage

What creates marital satisfaction?

• Satisfied couples have Closeness Individual independence

• Couples who have a good marriage believe the marriage enhances themselves as individuals.

Do you remember?

• What does marriage do for society?• Does cohabitation reduce divorce?• What creates marital satisfaction?

What creates sexual satisfaction?

• Frequency• Mutuality in initiating sex• Frequency for orgasm among women• Compared with Kinsey’s research

Men and women now have a wider repertoire of sexual behavior

What is Gottman’s best predictor of marital

satisfaction?

• Moments of support, kindness, passion & mutual pleasure far outweigh moments of disgust, criticism, defensiveness and anger

How did Gottman’s predict marital dissatisfaction?

• Facial expressions of disgust or fear• Defensiveness• Expressions of contempt

Why do people have extramarital sex?

• Reasons for: Wanting to expand emotionally or sexually Unavailability of sex within the marriage Way to begin ending a marriage

• Other factors Symptom of a disintegrating marriage May cause marital breakups Other serious consequences for both participant

and spouse

Do you remember?

• What creates sexual satisfaction?• What is Gottman’s best predictor of

marital satisfaction?• What predicts marital dissatisfaction?• Why do people have extramarital

sex?

Why is divorce increasing?

• Increasing due to Reduction in social stigma attached

to divorce Increased economic independence

of women Liberalization of divorce laws

• Emotional impact Similar to a death of a spouse

What is the most frequently stated reason

for divorce?• For men = Communication

difficulties• For women = communication

difficulties

Why do second marriages have a higher divorce rate?

• Less willingness to stick around when things get rough

What influences sexual activity in later years?

• Need for affection and sexual intimacy continues into older years

• Physical health Medications

In elderly may effect sexual desire and function

• Regularity of sexual expression• Sexual activity levels in early

adulthood

Do you remember?

• Why is divorce increasing?• What is the most stated reason for

divorce?• What influences sexual activity in

later years?