ABSTRACT
Common marital transitions experienced by most couples include the transition to parenthood, the launching of children, and the transition to retirement. A major transition experienced by most couples is the transition to parenthood. The transition to parenthood affects multiple aspects of the marital relationship. New parents, compared to comparable nonparents, experience a decline in sexual satisfaction and effective communication, and they experience an increase in disagreement and conflict. An important marital transition experienced by couples who have children is having the last child leave home. This transition has often been termed "the empty nest syndrome," suggesting that launching the last child is related to sadness and longing, with an implied decrease in marital satisfaction. The transition to retirement represents a significant alteration in the lives of couples. Whether couples have a dual-career arrangement or only one spouse has worked over the years, the couple has spent a substantial part of each day apart from each other.
