An increasing percentage of weddings today are remarriages. The urgent need for counseling in preparation for, and in the context of, remarriage deserves recognition. Yet remarriage counseling is a neglected topic at professional conventions, in research studies and among marriage and family counselors. This kind of marital relationship exhibits a unique blend of common and novel elements. Commonalities between first marriages and remarriages are obvious--for example, both may involve the interpersonal dynamics of the nuclear family. Parallels can also be drawn such as the finding that in-law problems are outnumbered by "step" and ex-spouse dilemmas. Additionally, couples in a remarriage have publicly faced relationship failure and wounds are slow to heal, and new adult-child relationships are frequently strained. However, remarried couples can bring greater self-knowledge and maturity to the new union. They may be far happier than couples in a first marriage; they may also become recidivists. The difference could lie with the perceptive marriage and family counselor who is aware of issues and sensitive to dynamics in remarriage. (Author)