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Rise In Acceptance of Cohabitation in Young Adults has Not Changed Desire for Life-Long Marriages

Rise In Acceptance of Cohabitation in Young Adults has Not Changed Desire for Life-Long Marriages
Research shows that the number of young adults choosing cohabitation over marriage is increasing. Prior to the sexual revolution which began in the late 1960’s, society did not accept couples living together outside of marriage. .However, young adults’ attitudes about relationships and marriage have significantly changed over the last forty years. These changing attitudes have led to a rise in the age of adults when they first marry, and living together – or cohabitation – has become the most dominant type of relationship among adults in their twenties.
In a recent research brief, commissioned by Child Trends (a nonprofit research center that studies children development), researchers attempted to “provide a portrait of the [changing] attitudes and opinions of young adults about relationships and the importance of marriage.” The brief, Young Adults Attitude About Relationships and Marriage: Times May Have Changed, But Expectations Remain High, examines the types of young adult relationships, attitudes leading to relationship success, attitudes regarding cohabitation, and attitudes about marriage. 
According to the brief, the vast majority of young adults believe that cohabitation is acceptable. Some of the motivations for young adults living together include testing marital compatibility before marriage, desire for increased time together, financial security and convenience. Whatever their motivation, most cohabitating couples nonetheless expect a high degree of love, commitment and fidelity in their relationships. While the beliefs of those interviewed varied according to gender, “the majority of both men and women regard love, fidelity and lifelong commitment as very important to a successful relationship.”
In most cases, cohabitating couples hope to be married in the future. Among the unmarried young adults interviewed, cohabitating individuals expressed the highest level of confidence that they would be married within ten years. Regrettably, research has revealed the opposite to be true. Studies have shown that eight out of ten couples that live together will break up before the wedding, or afterwards in divorce. Further, the relationship skills and depth of commitment found in successful marriages are rarely found in cohabitating relationships. 
The challenge facing society today is to destroy the myth that cohabitation is a good alternative or “test run” for marriage. As scholars and researchers examine cohabitation, they find that living together increases acceptance of divorce and devalues marriage. Further, there are a host of negative consequences that are associated with cohabitation, which are magnified if children are involved. 
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