Family Diversity- Cohabitation

Question 1

What are the trends of couples cohabiting?

Answer 1

In 2022: 3.5 million cohabiting couples- 20% of all unmarried couples are cohabiting

Question 2

How does the decline in stigma explain the increase in cohabitation?

Answer 2

-Inc cohabitation=rates of decline in stigma
-In 1989 44% only agreed ‘premarital sex is not wrong at all’ by 2015- 65%- -British Attitudes Survey
-Young more accepting- 18-24- 88% thought its alright for a couple to live together without wanting marriage, only 40% 65+ agreed (social trends)

-Despite this, most couples who cohabit tend to get married

Question 3

How does CPOW explain changes in marriage patterns?

Answer 3

-Increased career opportunities means less need for financial security of marriage and so can opt for cohabitation
-Lib Fems support

-Doesn’t mean they don’t get married but just put it off

Question 4

How does secularisation explain changes in marriage patterns

Answer 4

-2001 census- young people with no religion were more likely to cohabit than those with religion
-Less religious people mean they wouldn’t see marriage as such an important life stage

-Challenges of if secularisation happening- N. Of first time marriages happening in a religious setting
-Still a demand for religious weddings even amongst those who have been divorced before

Question 5

Is cohabitation now used as an alternative to marriage- no it’s a stepping stone

Answer 5

-Step on the way to getting married
-Chester: argues for most people cohabitation is part of the process of getting married
-Coast- 75% of cohabiting couples say they expect to marry each other
-Cohabitation=trial marriage

Question 6

Is cohabitation now used as an alternative to marriage- yes it’s an alternative partnership

Answer 6

-Many see cohabitation as a permanent alternative to marriage- Chandler
-Bejin- cohabitation amongst young people is a personally negotiated and equal relationship
-Shelter and John- women who cohabit do less housework