COHABITATION.ppt

COHABITATION “Why Buy the Cow, When You Can Get the Milk for Free?” The Problem Cohabitation violates the institute of marriage by lacking a true commitment. Cohabitation Living together in a sexual relationship without being married Background Leading to the Problem In 1960, of the 52,799,000 households, only 439,000 were unmarried cohabitants as opposed to 104,705,000 households in 2000. In the 2000, there were 4,736,000 unmarried cohabitants in the United States. Reasons Given for Cohabitation Economic advantages “We can save money by sharing living expenses.” Time together “We are able to spend more time together.” Reasons for Cohabitation (cont.) Increased intimacy “We have more opportunities to share sexual and emotional intimacy without getting married.” Less complicated dissolution “If the relationship doesn’t work out, there is no messy divorce.” Reasons for Cohabitation (cont.) “Testing” compatibility “Living together enables us to better learn about each other’s habits and character and see how we operate together day-to-day.” Trial marriage “We are planning to marry soon.” New Info on Cohabitation Cohabitation is on the rise for older individuals Reasons: Avoid loss of financial benefits such as alimony, welfare, or pension checks Loss of a spouse to death or divorce and fear of losing another spouse Pain and anger as a result of a divorce Health Effects of Cohabitation Increased risk of drug abuse Higher risk of physical, emotional, and mental abuse Unstable relationship Higher overall rates of violence among cohabitors. Violent relationship can lead to depression, suicide, homicide, or death. Possible Solutions Do Not Cohabitate Have faith in your relationship Have high self-esteem Legal Cohabitation Agreement Entered into by unmarried person who live together In agreement, the parties can agree with respect to acquisition, disposition of property upon separation, personal rights, obligation of either party, control of property, etc. Best Sol