THE RESOLUTIONS OF SEPARATION - ARE MARITAL RECONCILIATIONS ATTEMPTED

This study, using 1987-88 National Survey of Families and Households d ata, has examined the prevalence and characteristics of ever-separated white women who attempt a marital reconciliation. Marital reconciliat ions are quite common as 44% of the separated women attempt a reconcil iation. There is some support for the thesis that those with the fewes t resources and greatest reliance on the relationship are the most lik ely to attempt a reconciliation. In comparing these findings with prev ious research on the marital dissolution process, there is little cons istency in the relationship that the sociodemographic variables have w ith attempting a reconciliation and with the success of an attempted r econciliation. The implications of these findings are discussed.