Recent research in America has found a surprising level of interest in reconciliation among divorcing couples with children.
The study, which was carried out at the University of Minnesota, surveyed around 2,500 divorcing parents about reconciliation after they had taken a required parenting class.
When asked if they would be seriously interested in obtaining reconciliation services, about three in ten individuals expressed openness to receiving help. In one in ten couples, both partners were interested in reconciliation services, and in one in three couples one partner was interested and the other not. Overall, in about 45% of couples, one or both of the partners reported still having hopes for the marriage and a possible interest in reconciliation. Males were more interested than females in reconciliation.
Many of the participants in this study were toward the end of the divorce process; further analysis has shown that couples earlier in the process are even more open to reconciliation.
