Changing pattern of cohabitation

What id the definition of cohabitation?

• Refers to a couple who live together but aren’t married.

• Viewed as immoral in the past, but is now the norm and is usually encouraged between young couples to test the compatibility of their relationship.

• Couples may choose to cohabit for different reasons; therefore it shouldn’t be generalised.

What are some trends in cohabitation?

• In 2015, the ONS stated that about 3 million heterosexual couples were cohabiting in the UK – this growing from 2.3 million in 2004.

• In 2015 90,000 same-sex couples were cohabiting in the UK.

• Around one-fifth of couples who cohabit are ‘serial cohabiters’ as they’ve cohabited with someone else before, but the relationship was unsuccessful.

What is said about cohabitation and childbearing?

• The number of children who’re born outside of marriage has significantly increased over recent years.

  • According to the ONS in 2014, 47% of all children born in the UK were born in a cohabitation or to a single parent.

• Majority of births outside marriage are jointly registered by both parents.

• Women are also having children much later; the average age stands at around 28 which has increased by four years since 1971.

What is negatively said about cohabitation?

• The New Right believe that the increase in cohabitation is another sign of the moral decline in the UK, as it’s threatening the future of marriage.

  • It’s seen as a ‘marriage-lite’ option by Morgan (2000), who believes that cohabiting couples are less happy and not as fulfilled as married couples.

• Supported by Murphy (2007), who believes that children born outside of marriage are more likely to underachieve at school and develop serious illnesses.

What is positively said about cohabitation?

• Beaujouan and Ni Bhrolchain (2011) believe the rise of cohabitation in the UK is probably the reason for the decrease in divorce rates in recent years.

  • This is because it tends to ‘screen-out’ weaker relationships as couples have the opportunity to test their relationship through a trial period before committing to marriage.

  • Claim that around 80% of marriages in recent years involved couples who were already cohabiting.

• Smart and Stevens (2000) suggested that couples who cohabit are ‘testing the water’ with regards to their relationship and therefore saw it as a temporary phase or precursor to marriage.

  • Although the couples included in their study had separated, participants believed they were no less committed to each other compared with a married couple.

  • However, they were grateful for the flexibility when the relationship didn’t work out.