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Cohabitation Before Marriage

Did you know that over half of all first marriages are now preceded by living together compared to virtually none 50 years ago? The number of unmarried couples living together increased tenfold from 1960 to 2000. The number of unmarried couples living together increased 72% between 1990 and 2000. By the year 2010, if the present trend continues, there will be 7 married couples for every cohabiting couple. (Cohabitation Facts, "Cohabitation - It's Training for Divorce”- Chuck Colson (1995). Here are some statistics on cohabitating couples. These numbers show that as times go on more and more people will be living together before marriage. What is your opinion on cohabitation before marriage? Is this something that you see yourself doing in the future?
Barbara Markey (1999) notes three groups of cohabiters; those headed toward marriage, those cohabiting as a temporary alternative, and those cohabiting as a permanent alternative to marriage. Roland Johnson, a university sociologist, describes four categories of cohabiters. Theses sum up the vast majority of cohabitating relationships found among college-age individuals. They are: Linus Blanket, Emancipation, Convenience and Testing Relationships (Johnson 1996). A brief description of each is:
1. Linus Blanket Relationship. (Sense of Security)
This type of cohabiting relationship is based on the overpowering need to be involved with somebody. The desire to be loved is so overwhelming that many will "settle for" rather than choose someone. It can be the male or female, but more often is the female. This person needs the security of being loved and cared for and will accept it from anyone. When there is divergence, they often give in rather than stand up. The fear of the relationship ending is immense. The end comes when one of the parties walks out. The remaining person feels lost, abused, and used. They are often left felling rejected, depressed, and having very low self-esteem.
2. Emancipation Relationship....