Essay About Cohabitation

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Cohabitation is when two people live together before marriage. Society has been changing the way it feels about cohabitation lately. Before, cohabitation was viewed as a sin and not many people were open to cohabitation. Now, cohabitation does not have as bad as a stigma as it once did. More and more couples are choosing to cohabitate for many different reasons. This study will discuss the reasons people decide to cohabitate, whether cohabitation affects children, and if there are any consequences to cohabitating before marriage. While interviewing my participants, there was a lot of the same themes. Starting off with my first interview, Dalton Cox (age twenty-two, male, Caucasian, engaged) stated that he chooses to live with his partner …show more content…

Dawn Stevens (age forty-five, female, Caucasian, relationship) shares similar views as the younger participants. After being married once, she does not think marriage is necessary for living together. They both have grown children that are not affected by them living together. Cohabitation is a marriage without the legal documents. Next, Austin Runnels (age 23, male, Caucasian, relationship) said that he lives with his significant other because it allows them to spend more time together. They have discussed marriage, but it is a little early in the relationship. Austin states that it would be more stressful on children having to go from place to place then being in a cohabitation home. He notes that views on cohabitation have changed and now it is known to help decide if marriage is a promising idea. Lastly, Kaylyn Dancy (age 19, female, Caucasian, relationship) says she moved in with her boyfriend because she stayed there every night anyways. There are no children involved, but she thinks that cohabitation can affect children in different situations. The choice to live in cohabitation only matters to the couple and it can be very positive for the relationship. It seems that cohabitation is becoming common …show more content…

When it came to why they want to live outside of marriage, most said it was to spend more time together and because it would help save money. Three out of five participants said that they have considered marriage, but are waiting for the right time. Jackie is already married to her partner and Dawn has no plans to get married again. Almost all thought that cohabitation would have no negative effects on children involved. Kaylyn thoughts differed because situations are not the same for every family. All though that cohabitation could have a positive effect on one’s relationship. It is becoming more relevant in society for people to think that it can help build a relationship. More and more people think it is good to live together so that they can really know their partner. It is common for people to really show who they are when they are at home. Some people will not get married before they have tried living together. This has changed drastically from the past where it was frowned on to live together outside marriage. Cohabitation is not okay for all couples, but it is becoming more socially

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