Faulty expectations may explain the high number of divorces in the early years of marriage. Most individuals enter marriage with inadequate communication skills for close relationships. It is a rare individual whose parents showed him or her how to communicate effectively. Average or poor communication skills make it difficult to resolve conflict. When partners repeatedly conflict without resolution, divorce is more likely.
Some individuals bring unresolved issues from their family of origin into marriage.
Growing up in a family where physical, sexual, or emotional abuse occurred can create difficulties for adults trying to cope with intimate relationships. Coming from a broken home may impact a person's ability to relate to a marriage partner. It is often difficult to avoid repeating negative patterns observed in one's own family. And because American society has no real method of training people for marriage, old hurts often impact current relationships. The Belief That Something is Missing Some adults divorce because they believe something is absent from their relationship.