Why do most couples who cohabitat end up in divorce?

Question

Why do most couples who cohabitat end up in divorce?
My psychology teacher reported some statisics that showed that more and more couples who cohabitat before marriage are more likely to end up in divorce than couples who did not. Any opinions as to why this may be happening? Your help is greatly appreciated

Answer 1

Because they lived together beforehand and didnt listen to the warning signs BEFORE marrying.

Answer 2

Yeah, I've read this research, too. My guess is that people who are already living together are more likely to go through with a wedding even if they know they shouldn't. They're already living together, and to call everything off and break up means a HUGE change in their lives--not just a relationship change and a cancelled wedding, but a total life change, including a move. It's a complete life transition. Maybe that seems so scary that cohabiting couples go ahead and get married despite the red flags, because they don't want to go through such a huge life change. This isn't to say that breaking off an engagement is easy for non-cohabiting couples, but it certainly is less complicated!

Just a guess.

Answer 3

Sorry, but those statistics are slanted.

Percentage wise, there are more couples who cohabit before marriage than there are couples who do not. About half of all marriages end in divorce. Therefore, more of the nation's divorces will be to couples who cohabitated.

For example, imagine you know ten married couples. Of those ten, seven cohabitated. If five of those ten were to get divorced, the chances are higher that those divorced couples would have cohabitated.

Answer 4

I would have to SEE strict proof that this is true.
My first husband and I (NO divorce) lived together for a year before we married we got along great and were happy until his untimely passing with cancer.
My fiancee and I have been living together March 07 will be 7 years we have finally set a date and we will be married before our 7 years is here.we get along great,and are happy and if it has been that way for almost 7 years I think it will stay that way.after all we know everything there is to know about one another. No surprises after the marriage.

Answer 5

I think the others above have made good points. Anyone can slant statistics for his or her own ends. There is an ongoing debate, one side says cohabitation causes divorce one way or another. The other side says couples who are more likely to think divorce is an option are also more likely to cohabitate before marriage.

Answer 6

I don't think you understand the statistics correctly. My bf and I have been together 2 years and living together for 1 of those two years. Our relationship has gotten BETTER since moving in together. We aren't married yet, but still, I have never heard of people who cohabitate having higher divorce rates, I have always heard that is was the exact opposite.

Answer 7

Statistic are tricky..... and can be manipulated to fit the users needs.
America has such a high divorce rate PERIOD. I don't think it matters if you live together first. I think most people end up living together first due to financially reason- house, wedding... ect....

I almost had a stroke when I saw the Statistic that the average marrying age of a woman is 23 years old!!! Where is this coming from the Midwest??

Answer 8

There are studies that say the exact opposite too. Living together before marriage is something that's been socially acceptable for only a generation or two (if that). Divorce has also become more socially acceptable. I know people who swear that you should live together first so you know exactly what you're getting into. I know other people who wouldn't consider it. It's a personal decision that everyone has to make for themselves

Answer 9

I think the statistic is pulled from a global view which would be somewhat distorted.

Cultures vary, and divorce is tabu in many countries that have arranged marriages, and strict religious ramifications.

Half of all marriages in the United States and Canada wind up in divorce..regardless of cohabitation or not. Because both countries have lost the tabu of divorce.

Answer 10

Maybe they take marriage more casually than people who did not live together first. Or that they tend to be younger and don't feel a stigma with divorce- where generations in the past did not live together first, and also felt divorce was a last resort measure, and even lived together unhappily to avoid it.

Answer 11

Yes my philosophy teacher and psychology teachers have told me the same thing. They say its not good to live together before your married because its like "playing house".