Cohabitation Dating: Is There An Alternative To Singlehood?

Cohabitation dating is more common now than it was in the past. Couples decide to live together without being married for many different reasons. According to Benokraitis (2015), “Dating cohabitation is essentially an alternative to singlehood because the decision may be based on a combination of reasons, such as convenience, finances, companionship, and sexual accessibility” (p.257). Cohabitation also depends on age, gender, race, and ethnicity, religion, and social class. I have many friends who have postponed their weddings but remain in cohabitation relationships. I have discussed this situation with my friends and many of them who cohabits do not want to sleep alone at night. Most of my unmarried friends have children with their significant other so they feel it’s unnecessary to live apart. It
However, unplanned pregnancies, the cost and planning for a wedding is overwhelming. They decided a court house wedding is the best approach. I support cohabitation, many couples have their own reasons why they live with each other. I have also experienced a cohabitation relationship with my children’s father. We moved in with each other due to a family emergency. At first, I felt safer living with him, and the cost of living was cheaper because we split the bills. As time went by, we had a few unplanned pregnancies, stress turned the relationship dull and unsatisfying. Eventually, the thought of marriage disappeared and our relationship evaporated. Our ten year cohabitation arrangement was a learning experience; I will never ever have another cohabitation arrangement unless I’m engaged. Till this day marriage scares me, living with someone for ten years, cooking, cleaning, and compromising with your significant other is a full time job. Although, being involved in a cohabitation relationship provides couples with a chance to really get to know each