Cohabitation

From a sociological perspective, it isn't really a great idea. Thanks to a friend for these interesting facts.

COHABITATION

“Why Buy the Cow, When You Can Get the Milk for Free?”

The Problem

Cohabitation violates the institute of marriage by lacking a true commitment.

Cohabitation

Living together in a sexual relationship without being married

Background Leading to the Problem

In 1960, of the 52,799,000 households, only 439,000 were unmarried cohabitants as opposed to 104,705,000 households in 2000.

In the 2000, there were 4,736,000 unmarried cohabitants in the United States.

Reasons Given for Cohabitation

Economic advantages “We can save money by sharing living expenses.”

Time together
“We are able to spend more time together.”

Reasons for Cohabitation

Increased intimacy
“We have more opportunities to share sexual and emotional intimacy without getting married.”

Less complicated dissolution
“If the relationship doesn’t work out, there is no messy divorce.”

Reasons for Cohabitation

“Testing” compatibility
“Living together enables us to better learn about each other’s habits and character and see how we operate together day-to-day.”

Trial marriage
“We are planning to marry soon.”

New Info on Cohabitation

Cohabitation is on the rise for older individuals
Reasons:

Avoid loss of financial benefits such as alimony, welfare, or pension checks


Loss of a spouse to death or divorce and fear of losing another spouse


Pain and anger as a result of a divorce

Health Effects of Cohabitation


Increased risk of drug abuse
Higher risk of physical, emotional, and mental abuse
Unstable relationship
Higher overall rates of violence among cohabitors.
Violent relationship can lead to depression, suicide, homicide, or death.

Possible Solutions

Do Not Cohabitate
Have faith in your relationship
Have high self-esteem

Legal Cohabitation Agreement
Entered into by unmarried person who live together
In agreement, the parties can agree with respect to acquisition, disposition of property upon separation, personal rights, obligation of either party, control of property, etc.

Best Solution

Refrain from Cohabitation
Couples living together have the lowest level of premarital satisfaction when compared to other living arrangements.

Married couples that cohabitated prior to marriage have poorer communication skills in discussing problems than couples that did not cohabitate.

Cohabitating couples are less sexually committed and trustworthy.

Summary

Cohabitation rates increased from 500,000 in 1970 to 5.5 million people cohabitating in 2000

60-75% of first marriages preceded by cohabitation

80-85% of re-marriages preceded by cohabitation

Delay of marriage until median age of 25 for females and 27 for males

Concern over continuing high rates of divorce has led to couples seeking a weaker form of union with less commitment to lifelong marriage

Several studies show that cohabitating increases the risk of drug use and physical, mental , and emotional abuse.

Overall rates of violence in cohabitating couples were double that of married couples and severe violence was 5 times higher for cohabitors.

Cohabitating couples have lower levels of personal happiness and higher rates of depression than married couples

Cohabitors have more negative attitudes about marriage than non-cohabitors.

Do Not Cohabitate
Best solution
Marriages preceded by cohabitation are more likely to end in divorce.
Cohabitation is generally not a good way to prepare for marriage or to avoid divorce.


Legal Cohabitation Agreement

“The Bottom Line”

Lack of commitment to marriage
A strong commitment is the basis of marriage.
Cohabitating couples are more oriented toward their own personal autonomy.
Cohabitors are more willing to terminate the relationship.

Inability to make a decision about marriage
Cohabitation reflects uncertainty.

The End Result
Continuing to cohabitate will continue to raise the divorce rate for couples who do get married after cohabitation.

Cohabitation increases the chances of having children out of wedlock.

Ending the cohabitation and divorce will result in single parent homes.