1.COHABITATION IN TODAYSSOCIETYBy Lori Strizak

2. Overview What is cohabitation? Current trends Types of cohabitation Who cohabits? Pros and cons to cohabiting Does it lead to better marriages? What effects does it have on children? 3. Cohabitation what is it? Cohabitation occurs when twounrelated people, who are also notmarried, are in a sexual relationshipand living together, (Benokraitis, 2011). The U.S. Census Bureau calls theseindividuals, POSSLQs, (persons of theopposite sex sharing living quarters),but this can also pertain to individualsin same sex relationships who livetogether. 4. Growth and attitudes Cohabitation is continually rising. Reasons for why the numbers stillmight be too low: common-lawmarriages, couples dont disclose theinformation, the U.S. Census Bureaudoesnt tabulate unmarried couples inone home, and etc. Increased acceptance among people Reasons people disapprove: religiousviews, morals, belief it had a negativeimpact on children, and etc. 5. Types of Cohabitation Dating cohabitation: Couple whospends a lot of time together, decides tomove in together. Premarital cohabitation: Couples testingthe relationship before they jump intogetting married; can be engaged. Trial marriage: Less sure aboutrelationship than a couple participating inpremarital cohabitation. Substitute marriage: Two people whodont plan to marry, but make the longterm commitment to move in together. 6. Who cohabits? 20% are 24 years old or younger,(Benokraitis, 2011) 56% between 25-44 years old, (Benokraitis,2011) Women are more likely to cohabit if theirmothers did Also, women are less likely to cohabit if theirmothers have a college degree. Highest cohabitation rates are amongAmerican Indians/Native Alaskans andAfrican Americans, (Benokraitis, 2011). Religion and social class also affect whocohabits. 7. Pros Emotional security Independence Can get out of relationship easier, withoutlegal issues By holding off on marriage, the older in ageone is, the less likely of a divorce. Age is apredictor of a stable marriage, (Benokraitis,2011). Some children of low economic statusesbenefit more Dont deal with the stress of the others family(in-laws) Learn to deal with partners faults 8. Cons Feel trapped or isolated from friends Weaker commitment to therelationship Not as happy or satisfied inrelationship Less likely to be faithful Show more negative and controllingbehaviors after marriage No U.S. laws about the responsibilitiesof cohabitants 9. Does it lead to bettermarriages? Surprisingly, NO Higher divorce rates if cohabitationoccurred before marriage,(Benokraitis, 2011). Three effects that could explain thereason: selection effect, cohabitationeffect, and the inertia effect. 10. The Selection Effect People who cohabit, (usually beforemarriage), have differentcharacteristics than those who dontcohabit before marriage. Due to individual problems of thepeople in the relationship, people areless likely to work on the relationship,communicate efficiently, orcompromise during arguments. 11. The Cohabitation effect Cohabitants get used to independence Not as willing to compromise, due tobeing used to getting there own way. Leads to instability, and the likelihoodof divorce 12. Applying the concept In a 2009 article published in the Journal ofFamily Psychology, 1,050 men and womenwere given a random telephone surveyasking about cohabitation practices andcertain qualities about their marriages. Only those aged 18-34, that have beenmarried for 10 years or less were used. All different races and ethnicities were used. We found evidence that cohabiting beforeengagement, even only with ones futurespouse, is associated with lower maritalquality and higher divorce potential,(Rhoades, Stanley, & Markman, 2009). 13. The Inertia Effect When a couple moves in together,occasionally they make certaindecisions that would make it harder toleave the relationship I.e. Getting a pet, sharing finances,having children, etc. After making these decisions, theydecide that they should just go aheadand get married. 14. What Does This Do ToChildren? Children often endure the cohabitantsbreakup, or deal with the parentsserial cohabitation, (living withmultiple partners throughout theirchildhood). They are more likely to be poor, due tocohabitants breaking up, hencesuffering from more emotional,behavioral and academies issues, 15. Did you know? In some states, such as NorthCarolina, North Dakota, West Virginia,Florida, Michigan, Mississippi, andVirginia, cohabitation is prohibited! 16. Summary Cohabitation is when two people, that areunrelated and not married live together, andcurrently are in a sexual relationship. Cohabitation is continuing to grow and isbecoming a more accepted practice. There are four different types of cohabitation:dating, premarital, trial marriage andsubstitute marriage. Most of cohabitants are under the age of 44 Women are more likely to cohabit if theirmothers did Social class and religion also affectcohabitation rates. 17. Summary Cont. There are pros and cons to cohabitation Cohabitation before marriage DOES NOTmean that marriages will be better, andgenerally these cohabitants have higherdivorce rates. Selection Effect, Cohabitation Effect, andInertia Effect are possible theories for why itdoesnt lead to a better marriage. Sometimes, cohabitations creates anunstable environment to raise a child in, andthe child is more at risk of emotional,behavioral, or academic issues if he or shewitnesses serial cohabitation or the breakingup of cohabitants. 18. References Benokraitis, N.V. (2011). Marriages & families: Changes, choices, and constraints. (7th ed.) Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson Education,Inc. Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., &Markman, H. J. (2009). The pre- engagement cohabitation effect:A replication and extension ofprevious findings. Journal ofFamily Psychology, 23 (1), 107-11.