The effect of children upon the marriage relationship

Abstract

A marital questionnaire, completed by 40 fertile and 50 infertile couples, revealed greater unanimity of response between childless partners, who may however have been tempted to idealize their relationship. It is suggested that parenthood may limit the scope of communication between spouses. Childlessness may be stressful but it can also make for closer mutual affinity in the couple's thoughts and feelings.