Abstract
<p>This study explores changes in partnership and marriage beliefs across the life course in Germany. We conceptualize and empirically investigate relationship formation transitions as a mechanism for changing partnership and marriage beliefs, as they may reinforce or weaken cohort replacement effects. Adaptations in relationship beliefs may result either from increasing correspondence or unplanned contradictions of own relationship trajectories with “chrononormative” ideals around the standardized life cycle.We use fixed-effects panel data models based on the German pairfam data (2008-2022, N=11,705 respondents) to study how individuals’ partnership and marriage beliefs change across relationship formation transitions. Across LAT-entry and entry into cohabitation, beliefs in emotional benefits of partnerships increase, while beliefs in restrictions and stress decrease. Beliefs in financial benefits of partnerships increase when individuals enter cohabitation or marriage. Already with entry into LAT-relationships and cohabitation, support for marriage as a lifelong union rises moderately. Across entry into marriage, approval of marriage increases further, while nonmarital alternatives are viewed more critically. These adaptations following entry into marriage are more pronounced in East than West Germany. Our findings point to a strong couple norm and only partial deinstitutionalization and widespread approval of marriage.</p>