Cohabitation
The term cohabitation connotes a social phenomenon in which two people live together or exist in a household and maintain an intimate union outside the institution of marriage (Sasser & Lichter, 2020). Instances of cohabitation have been on a steady rise since the twentieth century, particularly in western countries, and have undoubtedly constituted one of the significant changes in the structure of western families. As a consequence, cohabitation has gradually shifted from being perceived as a marginal behavior to being accepted as normal in the United States and in most European countries. Across the globe, cohabitation is now regarded as the expected way of beginning a family or the precursor to a marriage union. However, in as much as there is progressive acceptance of cohabitation, it’s an inherent threat to the institution of marriage has often catapulted it to the fore of public discourse regarding its acceptability and the societal norms.
Cohabitation as an increasingly accepted social phenomenon and a societal norm portends both positive and adverse effects (Perelli-Harris& Lyons-Amos, 2015). The prevalence in cohabitation has inherently challenged the marriage institution in countries like the United States that have witnessed an increase in the phenomenon in that uncertainty has risen over the purpose of marriage or even the necessity of marriage in the first place. Coupled with the rising divorce instances and separation of married partners, the rise in cohabitation has thus increased unpredictability regarding the course of life. Furthermore, it has led to a transformation in social roles and association of kins, apart from inhibiting the ability of partners to determining the commitment levels of their partners. Legally, cohabitation has engendered a legal lacuna to various institutions as it has dissolved the demarcation for what is considered a serious relationship in terms of the marriage institution and the termination of the a serious relationship through the divorce process. As a result, the nature of formation of partnerships has been changed by cohabitation, and also the dissolution of the partnerships formed through cohabitation. Cohabitation is not clearly defined as a legal union, and as thus portends negative implication on the couples and other associated family members on terms of their social networks, tax obligations and the support of state as well as matters of inheritance in case of death of a partner.
Per Contra, cohabitation is viewed as a necessary precursor to marriage by some couples or an alternative to marriage. Financial uncertainties is regarded as one of the reasons as to why most couples in cohabitation are hesitant towards formalizing their unions, also, the fear of divorce and separations is another leading factor in the prevalence of cohabitation as couples are less convinced on the stability and posterity of the marriage institution from the equally high divorce and separation rates. Furthermore, cohabitation as a precursor to marriage is an opportune time for couples to gauge the commitment of their partners to the relationship and thus the viability of the relationship of they decided on formalizing.
Cohabitation as an emergent phenomenon is multifaceted in that it encompasses social norms, cultural norms and personal choices. As a social norm, individuals in different social settings accepted cohabitation through repeated interactions with the phenomenon and subsequent transmission and enforcement of shared attitudes and beliefs regarding cohabitation (Lamanna, Riedmann & Stewart, 2014). As a cultural norm, individuals who agree to cohabitation are influenced culturally through change in value of the marriage institution. Finally, as a personal choice, cohabitation has been caused by individualization and freedom as a result of change in gender roles and thus couples pursue independence and financial stability instead of marriage.
References
Lamanna, M. A., Riedmann, A., & Stewart, S. D. (2014). Marriages, families, and relationships: Making choices in a diverse society. Cengage Learning.
Perelli-Harris, B., & Lyons-Amos, M. (2015). Changes in partnership patterns across the life course: An examination of 14 countries in Europe and the United States. Demographic Research, 33, 145-178.
Sassler, S., & Lichter, D. T. (2020). Cohabitation and Marriage: Complexity and Diversity in Union‐Formation Patterns. Journal of Marriage and Family, 82(1), 35-61.