There's also a financial aspect that I think is important, and this is purely anecdotal, based on my experience.
When my partner and I were younger we had more dependent children, were not yet established in our careers, and were living month to month, with little to show for it. Money was a frequent cause of arguments and resentment.
Now we are down to one dependent child, we are both earning good money, can afford to splash out on each other a little, take an occasional holiday, and don't feel bad about the odd selfish purchase. We don't argue about money anymore. Nothing much else has changed, our love life has remained consistent, time together, shared activities. The one major change is that we're not fretting at the end of the month, as we wait for payday.
When my partner and I were younger we had more dependent children, were not yet established in our careers, and were living month to month, with little to show for it. Money was a frequent cause of arguments and resentment.
Now we are down to one dependent child, we are both earning good money, can afford to splash out on each other a little, take an occasional holiday, and don't feel bad about the odd selfish purchase. We don't argue about money anymore. Nothing much else has changed, our love life has remained consistent, time together, shared activities. The one major change is that we're not fretting at the end of the month, as we wait for payday.