Cohabitation in the United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the decline in marriage rates in the United States. It then defines cohabitation and looks at the advantages and disadvantages of cohabitation, both from a historical and cultural perspective and from a personal perspective from interviews. Finally, the paper asks whether cohabitation leads to a successful marriage or not.

Table of Contents:
Overview: What is Cohabitation?
Decline in Marriage Rates
Advantages of Cohabitation: Why People Cohabitate
Disadvantages of Cohabitation: What Cohabitating Couples usually Lack
Summary

From the Paper:

"Now that an examination has been conducted on the decline in marriage rates in the United States as well as the advantages and disadvantages of cohabitation, one question still remains unanswered: Does cohabitation lead to a successful marriage? Those in opposition of cohabitation have research and beliefs that show that cohabitation increases divorce rates and there is no sufficient evidence that proves that cohabitation leads to a successful marriage. However, there is also no research that adequately accounts for selection. People who choose to live together before marriage are not the same people who choose to marry directly. In conclusion, in order to find a more accurate and unbiased answer to the question at hand, one must conduct the research on two different levels since both groups bring two different attitudes towards marriage, religion, and relationships in general. Otherwise, the current findings remain opinions based on beliefs rather than evidence based on valid research."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Anonymous. Personal Interviews. 26 May 2007.
• Cohabitation. (2007, May 25). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 12:15, May 25, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cohabitation
• Collins, R., Coltrane, S. Sociology of Marriage & the Family. 5th Edition. (c) 2001. Pg. 245
• Lifetime Earnings Soar with Education. (2007, May 25). U.S. Gov Info/Resources. Retrieved 11:30, May 25, 2007, from http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa072602a.htm
• National Center for Health Statistics. (2000, January). Retrieved 08:30, May 25, 2007, from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/

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