Abstract
Over time, perceptions of marriage in the United States have shifted from a social obligation to a decision based on personal fulfillment. This shift has been most pronounced for women who no longer rely upon marriage for financial security. Marriages based on personal fulfillment are more fragile so when love declines and constraints do not exist, infidelity and divorce are considered viable options. This study investigated newlywed women's marital expectations along with their experiences of infidelity and expectations of divorce. Newlywed women (N = 197) married 2 years or less completed an online survey. As expected, these women primarily conceptualized marriage in terms of love and personal fulfillment. They reported a variety of extramarital thoughts and behaviors, and 74% indicated some expectation of divorce.
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