This paper examines the extent to which the parent-child relationship is affected by children's maturation to adulthood, marriage, childbearing, and/or divorce. The effect of parental widowhood or serious illness on this relationship is also looked at. The authors find that, on average, adult children report decreased contact with their parents, although they do find that certain life events serve to bring children and parents into closer contact, such as certain life events, such as the experience of divorce or parental widowhood.