"I've seen a tremendous number of [adult children] from divorced families who don't feel their parents are competent to answer questions — and they're right."

Wallerstein supports a wider implementation of marital education programs, including those already in place through the S.F.-based Jewish Family and Children's Services, where she is a board member and volunteer counselor.

JFCS offers a variety of programs aimed at married couples, individuals and children attempting to recover from or avoid a divorce. It also offers mediation services to parents going through divorce, and has cooperated with Wallerstein in research gauging the effect of joint custody on children.

"There are programs there for young people and marriage programs," Wallerstein said. "I think people need to take advantage of those before the crisis occurs."