Cohabitation Flashcards
Reasons for the Patterns and Trends of Cohabitation
1) Secularisation: Churches influence to get married less effective. More guided by secular ideas.
2) Changes in Position of Women: w/ better career prospects women now less economically dependent on men.
What is the relationship between Cohabitation and Marriage?
Cohabitation as a permanent alternative to marriage.
OR
Cohabitation as a stepping stone into marriage.
Why cohabitation viewed as ‘permanent alternative to marriage’?
Sociologist Chandler suggests cohabitation becoming accepted as long-term permanent alternative to marriage.
Evident through the increasing proportion of children being born outside of marriage in cohabitating relationships.
Why cohabitation as a ‘Prelude to Marriage’?
Most evidence suggests cohabitation seen as part of process of getting married rather than permanent substitute.
Sociologist Coast found 75% of cohabiting couples expect to marry each other.
define ‘Cohabitation’
An unmarried couple are in a sexual relationship but are living together
define ‘Patriarchal’
Society based on male domination.
It’s a system or ideology of male power over women.
What is the ‘New Right’ view on Co-habitation?
Negative, very critical.
They do not like it because it’s not the traditional nuclear family.
Either partner could choose to leave at any point creating lone-parent families.
What are ‘Feminists’ view on Co-habitation?
Positive.
Would like the fact women aren’t having to follow the traditional norms if they don’t want to.
May suggest more equal power in a relationship.
What does Sociologist Chandler suggest about Co-habitation?
Co-habitation has increasingly become accepted as a long-term permanent alternative to marriage.
This has reflected in the increasing proportion of children being born outside of marriage in cohabiting relationships.
What does Sociologist Chester argue about Co-habitation?
That most cases cohabitation is transient, temporary phase before marriage.
(It acts as a stepping stone into marriage)
What did Sociologist Coast find out about cohabitation?
[EVIDENCE] 75% of cohabitating couples were expected to marry each other if their cohabitation became successful.
