Finances represent one of the biggest conflicts in a marriage.
People marry with established attitudes about money that stem from their ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds. Often a married couple's attitudes are conflicting, adding to the stress. Because our society has traditionally regarded discussion of money matters as taboo, many couples have had a hard time discussing them openly. When income, expenses, and other financial matters are not discussed in the family, there is no opportunity for children to develop a real sense of financial responsibility. This could create stress between parents and children when deciding between needs and wants.