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Cohabitation. Shannon N. Davis Carolina Population Center shannon_davis@unc.edu. Introductory Questions. In contemporary United States society: Is cohabitation the same as trial marriage? Is cohabitation an alternative or replacement for marriage?
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Cohabitation Shannon N. DavisCarolina Population Centershannon_davis@unc.edu
Introductory Questions • In contemporary United States society: • Is cohabitation the same as trial marriage? • Is cohabitation an alternative or replacement for marriage? • Why does cohabitation have so little effect on later marriage? • Under what conditions might cohabitation be good preparation for marriage?
How do couples decide to cohabit? • Cohabitation does not usually result from a conscious decision. • One study found that 2 out of 3 cohabitors were unsure of their original motives. • Another study reported that only 25% of couples discussed cohabitation before moving in together. • For most couples, cohabiting is a gradual process rather than an abrupt change in their relationship. • For example, most couples cannot give a “starting date” for when they began cohabiting.
Explanations for Rise in Cohabitation • Cultural • Economic • “Proximate Causes”
Western European Policies on Cohabitation • Netherlands • Registration of partnerships (both same and opposite sex); 2001 gay marriage law • France • Civil Solidarity Pacts (PACS) • Sweden, Finland, Denmark • Family law applies to married and cohabiting couples in the same way • Germany • Constitutional protection of family is for marriages, not “marriage-like partnerships”
Relationship between Cohabitation and Marital Stability • Impressive empirical evidence shows that premarital cohabitation tends to be associated with increased likelihood of divorce • Recent research on younger cohorts suggests this relationship is diminishing, that the earlier findings may have been capturing a period effect • Selection Hypothesis • Experiential Effect
Why focus on the relationship between cohabitation and subsequent marital instability? • Concern about the “decline of the family,” specifically the “increased” divorce rate • Vast empirical evidence showing the negative effects of marital instability on children • If we can document and understand predictors of divorce, we can figure out ways to protect children from these negative outcomes. • This presumes: • Living with married, biological parents is always best for children; • A static definition of both cohabitation and marriage; • The underlying causal mechanism for the relationship between cohabitation and marriage would not develop without premarital cohabitation.
Cohabitation and Children • An estimated 40% of children will live in a cohabiting household at some time during their childhood/adolescence. • Children already disadvantaged based upon parental income and education are more likely to experience parental cohabitation (also have access to less income than if parents were married). • This is just one type of transition children experience; experiencing cohabitation is suggestive of other changes in family structure to come. • Cohabiting males are similar to stepfathers in their interaction with their partners’ children.
Cohabitation, Marriage and Children • Children provide a reason to get married • Pregnancy in cohabitation increases likelihood of marriage • Presence of children from previous relationships increases likelihood of marriage • Childbearing in cohabitation reduces likelihood of subsequent breakup.
Economic Factors and Moving from Cohabitation to Marriage • Not just having enough money • Marriage signifies that one is no longer struggling economically, that is, marriage comes when one has achieved a certain economic status • Home ownership, getting out of debt, financial stability, not living paycheck to paycheck • Having sufficient money or savings to afford a “real” wedding • Both women and men expect the men to be able to provide for their families
Changing Definitions of Marriage and Cohabitation in the United States • Definition of marriage (to whom, when, how) have changed over time • Meaning of cohabitation has also changed • Stigmatized, illegitimate relationships • “Shacking up” and “free love” • Stage in the marriage process • Substitute for/alternative to marriage • Substitute for/alternative to singlehood
Ideal Types of Cohabitation • Marginal • Not prevalent and likely discouraged by public attitudes and policies • Italy, Poland, Spain • Prelude to marriage • Exists as a pre-reproductive phase for adults. • Unions tend to be brief, no children, end in marriage. • Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland
Ideal Types of Cohabitation • Stage in marriage process • Exists as transitory phase in reproduction. • Unions longer and children more likely to be born into a cohabitation than in prelude stage, but marriage is eventual. • Austria, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Slovenia • Alternative to single • Cohabitation for brief, non-reproductive unions that end in separation instead of marriage. • New Zealand, United States
Ideal Types of Cohabitation • Alternative to marriage • Is a discrete family component • Adulthood cohabitation prevalent and for longer duration than in alternative to single. • Low % lead to marriage, more exposure to cohabitation during childhood, and for longer duration. • Canada, France
Ideal Types of Cohabitation • Indistinguishable from marriage • Little social distinction between cohabitation and marriage. • Children more likely than in alternative to marriage to experience marriage of parents because cohabitation is not seen as an alternative to marriage. • Sweden, Denmark
Distribution of Unmarried Households by Partner Type, Census 2000
Gay and Lesbian Cohabiting Couples • Longitudinal data suggest that the relationship processes are more similar to heterosexual couples than dissimilar • No difference in half of measures of relationship functioning • Gay and lesbian partners fared better than married couples for all differences except in perceived levels of social support from family members
Gay and Lesbian Cohabiting Couples • Gay, lesbian, and married couple relationships work the same way (that is, the “doing” of the relationship) • Division of labor based upon economic resources rather than gender (different from married couples?) • Relationship quality declines faster in married couples than in gay and lesbian couples • No difference in rate of relationship dissolution when compared to married couples
Closing Questions • In contemporary United States society: • Is cohabitation the same as trial marriage? • Is cohabitation an alternative or replacement for marriage? • Why does cohabitation have so little effect on later marriage? • Under what conditions might cohabitation be good preparation for marriage?
