Patterns of Cohabitation

In the UK, cohabitation is the…

Fastest growing family type

How many heterosexual and same-sex couples are estimated to be cohabitating?

3.5 million and 120,000

What does increased cohabitation reflect?

The decline in stigma attached to sex outside marriage

Women's increased career opportunities mean less need for financial security of marriage

What does Chester argue about cohabitation?

It is a step in the process of marriage

Evidence comes from Coast, finding that…

75% of cohabitation couples say they expect to marry

However, this is not the same for everybody or applicable to all religions such as…

Muslims who tend to have more conservative beliefs around sex outside of marriage

Additionally, 88% of 18-24 year olds think…

Cohabitation is okay compared to 40% of those over 65

Who sees cohabitation as a permanent alternative to marriage and why?

Chandler

There is no longer as much pressure