P2 Families and Households - Cohabitation

Question 1

What is the stats on cohabitation?

Answer 1

The majority of cohabiting people are aged between 25 and 29.

In 1950s, number of couples cohabiting before first marriage was less than 2% but by 1996 risen to 77%

Question 2

What are reasons for cohabitation?

Answer 2

1. A stepping stone to marriage / trial marriage
2. Decline in stigma attached to sex outside of marriage
3. Changing position of women
   - Less need for financial security

Question 3

What do New Right believe about cohabitation?

Answer 3

1. That it is a source of concern
2. Less stable than marriage. Morgan argues:
   - Less happy
   - More likely to suffer abuse
   - Stressed and depressed
3. Children from cohabiting couples suffer. Murphy argues:
   - Poor school results
   - Leave education earlier
   - Higher risk of serious illness

Question 4

What are issues with STATS according to Kiernan?

Answer 4

Kiernan argues that its difficult to generalise as it may include those who are about to marry, opposed to marriage or trailing their relationship

Education and healthcare issues are skewed by those who may be cohabiting and they may already be disadvantaged

Question 5

What are living apart together couples?

Answer 5

• LAT couples are an increasingly discussed alternative to marriage. - - - These couples do not live together but maintain a sexual relationship and other than a lack of co residence as partners

Question 6

What does Smart argue?

Answer 6

Opinions are divided as to whether this is a modern solution to keeping some independence, a matter of choice or it arises out of necessity of conditions of work