Features of Marital Relations in Families with Adult Children.

The moment when kids are leaving their families often becomes painful and difficult for all participants involved. Many studies point out to this period as one of the main reasons of mature families falling apart as the relationships between the spouses become tense and full of conflicts. Currently there is a lack of theoretical and empirical studies of marital relations at later stages of marriage after the threshold of separation of kids and their material independence. Hence, the author took this area as the focus of the study. Successful passing through the period of kids separation from their families becomes the base for the further well-being and happiness for both - the mature families and their children. Apparent signs of separation can be spotted in the way of their lives – where, how and with whom they are living, who cares about them, supports and sponsor the chosen life style. The present study reveals that in transition over the critical point, even when the grown-up children are separated and live materially independent from their parents, the consequent changes in the lives of parents happen slower and over the extended period of time. Furthermore, material independence of children seems to be more of a frustrating nature for parents, as in comparison with those where children continue to stay materially dependent on their parents, they talk more about being lonely, disconnected with their children and less satisfied with their existing family relations.