Chapter 8 – Marriage and Cohabitation Cont.
Cohabitation: living together as a sexual or romantic couple without being married
Marriage has become more and more select, people still want to be together
so they cohabit
Marriage declining and cohabitation inclining
Figure 8.7
– percentage of women ages 19-44 who have ever cohabitated by
education (1987-2007)
o
Cohabitation has increased for everyone – a lot less select
o
A lot less variety in why people cohabit
Figure 8.8
– Relationship status 1,3, and 5 years from the start of a first
cohabitation
o
Don’t really ever last
o
After 3 years either end in marriage or dissolution
1.
Cohabitation –
before marriage
o
Most common form of cohabitation
o
Seen as acceptable stage in relationship process – a chance to practice
marriage
o
Some couples may have plans to marry but never reach the economic
goals they’ve set for marriage
If you cohabit before marriage you are at a greater risk for
divorce – but recent data is showing that this isn’t true
2.
Cohabitation –
instead of marriage
o
Most common among economically disadvantaged couples
o
Couples have various reasons for choosing cohabitation over marriage
One partner wants to marry and the other doesn’t – so they
compromise and cohabit
Until recently same sex couples fell into this
If there are educational or racial/ ethnic differences between
partners
3.
Cohabitation –
after marriage
o
Among older adults, cohabitation is becoming more common among
those who have been widowed or divorced
o
Less about testing viability of relationship before marriage and more
about finding long-term substitute for marriage
‘Maybe marriage isn’t necessary’
Long term substitute for marriage
The Benefits of Marriage
Some research indicates that individuals who are married are happier,
healthier and have more wealth (obviously there are two incomes) that those
who are not married
o
Selection
