Why do people cohabit?

Question

If you take the time to read this website document on the research, you have to wonder, why aren't people more aware of the dangers of cohabitation? Is it just because people don't care, do they just "do it for love"? I am just really curious? Is our society just not aware enough?

http://www.marriagelawfoundation.org/mlf/publications/Oregon%20Law%20Review.pdf

Answer 1

With divorce rates rising and the cost of marriage becoming astronomical, cohabitation is sensible.

Only an unaware person would get married these days without cohabiting first.

I am not against marriage, but surely isn't it up to the couple concerned?  Why should we tell people how to act.  Only an obsessive moralist would be concerned surely?

The attitude that ONLY marriage is the right way sounds like closed mindedness to me.

A lot of religious groups distort statistics to their favour, and they get funding from place like the templeton foundation.  I wouldn't believe all you read.  Their is a lot of religious propaganda out there.

Answer 2

Because if it doesn't work out you don't need an attorney to go your separate ways.   A lot of people see co-habitating as a trial run at marriage.  Some people do it just because it is easier than going through getting the license, planning a wedding, etc.  Shacking up is very easy to do.     Out society is quite aware, they chose the easy way.  It is how things are these days.

Answer 3

It's not a smart idea, in my opinion. Some people probably do it because it saves money and so they can both take care of a child?

Answer 4

I think people cohabitate because for financial reasons and because many people don't see the point of marriage OR they want to live together before they get married.

The new domestic partnership laws and benefit plans makes it easier for people who chose not to marry.  I think the divorce rate has turned many people off.

I was listening to a radio program a few weeks ago that mentioned that cohabitation before marriage increased the likelyhood for divorce.  This and other findings aren't common knowledge for a lot of people and I think many of us know at least 1 couple who have either lived together for years and it worked OR lived together for years before marriage and didn't divorce, so it's difficult to take these findings seriously.

Answer 5

After looking at the document connected to the link you provided, I decided NOT to try to read it.  Mostly because it appeared on my screen SIDEWAYS, and I don't know how to correct that.  Even though it is about Oregon, and I live in Oregon, I decided that I didn't really want to fight my way through a 16-page legal document that is appearing 90-degrees off center.

However, I am cohabitating with MY loved-one because, on my job, I make enough money to disqualify him for the health coverage that is keeping him alive, but NOT enough to replace it if it were taken away.  We literally have absolutely NO other choice!  

We love eachother dearly, and know beyond any shadown of a doubt that we are permanent mates, for the rest of our lifetimes, but marriage would legally unite our finances and the loss of his health care would be a potentially fatal disaster that would significantly shorten at least one of those lifetimes!

I am sure, even without reading your 16-page sideways legal document, that there are all sort of "official" pitfalls to unmarried cohabitation, but for us, the ONE advantage (keeping him ALIVE!) trumps them ALL!

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