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 (cont.)

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

Less complicated dissolution

If the relationship doesnt work out, there is
no messy divorce.

Reasons for Cohabitation (cont.)

Testing compatibility
Living together enables us to better learn
about each others 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

Summary
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

Summary
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.

Summary
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.

Summary
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.