cohabitation

what is cohabitation?

an unmarried couple in a sexual relationship living together

how many cohabiting heterosexual couples are there?

2.9m

what proportion of adults cohabit?

1/8

how many same-sex cohabiting couples are there?

69k

what proportion of cohabiting partners are serial cohabitants?

1/5

what are the reasons for the increase in cohabitation?

• decline in stigma to sex outside of marriage

• young more likely to accept cohabitation

• increased career opportunities so less financial dependence on men

• secularisation

what does Chester say about cohabitation & marriage?

for most people, cohabitation is part of the process of getting married

what did Coast find about cohabitation & marriage?

75% of cohabiting couples expect to marry each other

what might many see cohabitation as?

a trial marriage

what does Bejin say about a trial marriage?

cohabitation amongst young couples represents a conscious attempt to create a more personally negotiated and equal relationship than traditional patriarchal marriage

what did Shelton & John say about a trial marriage?

women who cohabit do less housework than their married counterparts