The Transition to Parenthood: How a First Child Changes a Marriage : why Some Couples Grow Closer and Others ApartOver a seven-year period, Dr. Jay Belsky, a professor of human development at Penn State University, conducted a major study of 250 couples entering the transition to parenthood - the period that runs from the third trimester of pregnancy to the child's third birthday. His conclusion: The birth of a child is one of the greatest challenges to a couple's marriage - financially, emotionally, physically, and sexually. For many new parents, the impact is supremely negative: The workload at home increases, with women resenting the heavy new burden; communication between husband and wife diminishes and may never be the same again; sex may all but disappear. Yet for other couples, the marriage survives and is even strengthened. By examining the experiences of three representative couples, The Transition to Parenthood defines the qualities and capacities couples need to navigate the transition successfully. Couples will find the answers to questions that plague them during the transition, and will take comfort in knowing that they are not alone in feeling lost and confused during a time that they had expected to be one of blissful contentment. |
Contents
Whats Happening to Us? | 3 |
The His and Hers Transition | 25 |
AT THE STARTING GATE THE COUPLES | 53 |
Copyright | |
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ability Akers Akerses asked baby baby's arrival Barbara D'Amato began behavior Belsky birth Cal and Jennifer Cal's career Carlsons child chores communication conversation couple's Dell books diaper division of labor division-of-labor domains Egalitarian emotional Emotionality feel felt fight follow-up interview Frank Marshall friends gender ideology Hanukkah bush hematoma husband and wife husbands and wives in-laws individual intake interview issues Jennifer's Journal of Marriage kitchen later Lem and Tina Lem's less looked Marital Quality Questionnaire marital satisfaction maternal Michele Weiner-Davis months morning needs negative night NORA EPHRON observation obstetrician parents partner Penn percent postbaby prebaby pregnancy problems reason relationship Renselears Ron's scored share spend spouse stresses Sue's surprised talk things thought Tina's tion told transition to parenthood upset usually violated expectations vulnerable wanted weeks wife's wives woman women