MATCH QUALITY, NEW INFORMATION, AND MARITAL DISSOLUTION

This article investigates the role of surprises in marital dissolution . Surprises consists of changes in the predicted earning capacity of e ither spouse. Data from the National Longitudinal Study of the High Sc hool Class of 1972 is used. We find that an unexpected increase in the husband's earning capacity reduces the divorce hazard, while an unexp ected increase in the wife's earning capacity raises the divorce hazar d. Couples sort into marriage according to characteristics that are li kely to enhance the stability of the marriage. The divorce hazard is i nitially increasing with the duration of marriage, and the presence of children and high levels of property stabilizes the marriage.