Which of the following does NOT normally affect the stability of a remarriage?

• A. landlords
• B. relatives
• C. friends
• D. community members

Answer: (A)

Stability in a remarriage is largely shaped by the surrounding social network—how family, friends, and the wider community influence the couple through support, expectations, and shared norms. Relatives can provide help with parenting, finances, or household roles, but can also bring conflicts or pressure that affect harmony. Friends offer emotional support or, alternatively, social conflicts, which can either bolster resilience or add stress. Community members influence norms, stigma, and available resources, all of which can impact how smoothly a stepfamily adjusts.

Landlords, on the other hand, are typically a housing and financial factor rather than a direct relational one. While housing instability or rent pressure can create stress, landlords do not normally shape the couple’s interpersonal dynamics or everyday relational stability in the same direct way as family, friends, and community influences do. Therefore, landlords are not typically considered a factor that directly affects the stability of a remarriage.