Cohabitation

Question 1

What is cohabitation?

Answer 1

Refers to an unmarried couple in a sexual relationship who live together

Question 2

Why has cohabitation increased over the last 40 years?

Answer 2

There are changing attitudes towards sex outside of marriage and it is now socially acceptable

Question 3

How would the increase in cohabitation be viewed by the new right?

Answer 3

View in a negative way as the increase in cohabitation means a decrease in the traditional nuclear family

New right see the traditional nuclear as the only acceptable family structure

Question 4

How would the increase in cohabitation be viewed by postmodernists?

Answer 4

View in a positive way as they would argue we now live in a society characterised by social change and therefore individuals should be able to decide how they live their lives whether that’s being married or cohabiting

Question 5

How would the increase in cohabitation be viewed by liberal feminists?

Answer 5

May view in a positive way because they campaign for the equality of both men and women and they may argue cohabitation is a way to establish equality between men and women

Question 6

How would the increase in cohabitation be viewed by radical feminists?

Answer 6

May view in a positive way because although they argue society is patriarchal and men are the enemy, they may view cohabitation as a way for women to leave relationships easily if they encounter any abuse