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Current research suggests that religion also plays a large part in whether or not a couple will divorce. It appears that Catholics are less likely than Protestants to divorce. This may be partly due to the fact that the Catholic Church looks more harshly upon those members who decide to divorce, thus diminishing one's social support groups. (Lawton & Bures, 2001) In addition, couples who practice separate faiths face an increased risk of divorce. .
Regarding race, previous research has found that African Americans are less likely to divorce than Caucasians. This is partly because African Americans delay marriage, cohabitate, and parent outside of marriage. Available women are drastically outnumbering available men, which accounts for an even lower number of marriages. (Pinsof, 2002) Those who do decide to marry are a select group that is devoted to the sanctions of marriage. (Teachman, 2002) .
There also seems to be some evidence to suggest that people bring traits to a marriage that increase the risk for divorce, including antisocial personality traits, depression, and a general history of psychological problems. (Amato, 2000) Neuroticism appears to be present in many of the women who marry in their teen years. (Teachman, 2002) .
Although the exact causes of the rise in divorce rates have not been identified, many theories have been proposed. These theories suggest that there is not just one factor, but rather, many factors interacting that give us the present state of marriage and divorce. .
William Pinsof argues that the increased life span has a direct effect on marital unions. Before the last few decades, people were expected to live into their fifties or sixties, but now, most people can expect to see the seventies and eighties. Individuals may only possess a limited capacity to stay with one partner for a lengthy period of time. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, marriages lasted about 10-20 years, with the end of the union being the death of one partner.