Co-Habitation Prior to Marriage?

Question

Hello All,

I am a communication studies major and am doing a presentation on the topic of co-habitation prior to being married.

I want to give an unbiased presentation and just give the pro's and con's of the issue... but am having a very hard time finding and sites or organizations supporting co-habitation before marriage.

Does anyone know of any sites or research that do support it?? What are your thoughts and what not?

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

I have lived with my other half for 5 years now and we are waiting till Im done with school. Co-habitation is something I feel helps you learn about little quirks someone might have to help you assess them better than just visiting their place.

I have heard horror stories of people who got married and THEN found out their husband not only had a habit of PEEING on the wall behind the stool, but also DID not clean up after himself. Divorce followed shortly afterwards.

It's the little things that can make and break a relationship.

Below are some links I found, but their validaty might not be very good. Just quick resources I did find.

Answer 2

Sorry, don't know any sites.

Here's some anecdotal information for you.

A woman should not co-habitate with a man until they have set a wedding date. If not, then the man is likely to lose interest in marriage since sex is available without the commitment. The bonus is that the woman gets to see what living with the man will be like before getting married. If problems arise that wouldn't prior to cohabitation, this trial period allows the woman a way out before it's too late.

Answer 3

Here in Germany it is standart: first try to get to know a person as good as u can and then make a decision or commitment.
Another point is the economic status of women: 20 years ago, in germany women of a weaker economic status were trying to get out of thier family's house and slipt right into a marrige.
Today, women are making their own money, can pay their own first appartment and so on and so forth. In order to give up this souveranity, both man and women, they need information about each other from each other and through own experiences.

in order to get some statistical survey, i would check the census datas about couples living together and singles (within city and outside of cities). As far as I know, around 50% in the states are married and living together as married, but the trend changed cause life brought up more alternatives.

Answer 4

I don't know of any sites, but I can give you my personal perspective.

I was married at 18 and divorced at 20. Granted, we didn't live together first, but we did get married about six months AFTER our daughter was born.

My current husband and I have been together for 14 years, married for one and we have three children together. As a matter of fact, we have fought less since we have gotten married . . . believe it or not!