Family types- cohabitation

Question 1

BENSON- data analyse

Answer 1

analyses data on the parents of over 15,000 babies. He found that, over the first three years of the baby’s life, the rate of family breakdown was much higher among cohabiting couples: 20% compared to only 6% among married couples.
In the New Right view, only marriage can provide a stable environment to bring up a child.

Question 2

BENSON- couples more stable when married.

Answer 2

Argues that couples are more stable when they are married. For example, the rate of divorce among married couples is lower than the rate of breakups among cohabiting couples.

Question 3

BENSON- why is marriage more stable

Answer 3

Benson argues marriage is more stable because it requires a deliberate commitment to each other, whereas cohabitation allows partners to avoid commitment and responsibility.