2.1 non-marital lifestyles

being single according to college students

not being in a romantic relationship

being single according to census

being unmarried

reasons for rise in unmarrieds

growth on widowed elderly

high divorce rates

young people postponing marriage

cohabitation

demographic changes affecting marriage 

more educational and occupational opportunities for women 

economic factors affecting marriage

marriage is seen as a financial status

job difficulties and student loans delay/preventing marriage

technological changes influencing marriage and singleness 

improved contraception reduces pregnancy risk outside marriage

reproductive technology allow same-sex couples and unpartnered women to plan pregnancies 

emerging adulthood

a modern life stage where young adults spend more time in higher education and career exploration than previous generations

social changes influencing marriage and singleness

premarital sex is more socially acceptable

autonomy valued, singlehood preferred by some

being unmarried is no longer seen as deviant 

marriage is less permanent 

what other paths besides marriage define adulthood now

college, gaining independence, cohabitation

different living arrangements

living alone

living apart together

living with parents

group/communal living

cohabitation

living alone 

increasing single households

likelihood rises with age 

higher rates among older women than men 

pros and cons of living alone

can lead to social isolation and loneliness (esp. in elderly)

depends on community

can provide freedom from marriage and childrearing

living apart together (LAT)

committed long term couple maintaining separate dwellings

what should be discussed to make LAT work

schedules, defining spaces, boundaries

commune

a group living situation providing social support and resources; declined since 1960s

accordion family household

expands or contracts depending on family needs; provides economic, emotional, and social functions

cohousing 

private living spaces + communal kitchens/family rooms; combines privacy and community 

microhousing

200-400sqft, often in communities of other microhomes

cohabitation

unmarried couples living together, financially obligated, sharing time, and having a sexual relationship

why some choose cohabitation over marriage 

marriage can feel confining, linked to religion/politics, expensive financially 

cohabitating differ from marriage

twice as likely interracial

women are more likely older/higher earners

lower trust and satisfaction

less likely to pool finances

more interpersonal violence

legal considerations before living together

domestic partners, residence, bank accounts, power of attorney, credit cards, property, insurance, wills/trusts, healthcare, children, breakup

how many nonmarital births occur to cohabitating women

over half 

does having a child while cohabitating increase stability?

no, unless couple marries before baby is born

outcome linked to instability/intermittent cohabitation for children

earlier premarital sex

higher school suspension rates

antisocial/delinquent behaviors