Pros and Cons of Cohabitation
Marissa Treece
Theology 20611
11/13/08
Destruction of Marriage
Much of today’s practicing adolescent population would argue the accusation false. As a whole, the liberal population would probably concur. But despite their continuously supported “pros” of premarital cohabitation, it is partly—and largely—responsible for the destruction of marriage as a sacrament and as an institution in America. In the following pages, I will address the sexual ethical issue of cohabitation prior to marriage. While it is clear my standpoint is solidly against this practice, I will analyze multiple facets of position on the issue at hand, including statistical data, theological research, and refined personal dilemmas to portray the issue in a non-bias fashion prior to concluding this research paper with a personally drawn conclusion on the issue based on the information collected and self reflection. In order to discuss the topic, it must first have a concrete definition. For this research, it is considered that cohabiters are defined as a non-legalized relationship between a man and a woman living together under marriage-like circumstances. Thus the common ground amongst the relationships discussed in this paper have a strong emphasis on not only living in the same dwelling, but also rely on the relationship for means of satisfying family, sexual, and economic functions. In cohabitation, the relationship is a “special type of primary relationship in which the partners aid each other in meeting socioemotional, sociosexual, sociopysical and socialeconomical need of one another.”[1] Cohabitation is a growing trend among young adult relationships and is considered by many to be taking an appropriate step in bringing the relationship to another level—the next level of intensity and intimacy. The occurrence of cohabiting couples has drastically increased since the 1970’s, commonly dubbed a side effect of the sexual revolution in the 1960’s. Prior to this time, living together
Theology 20611
11/13/08
Destruction of Marriage
Much of today’s practicing adolescent population would argue the accusation false. As a whole, the liberal population would probably concur. But despite their continuously supported “pros” of premarital cohabitation, it is partly—and largely—responsible for the destruction of marriage as a sacrament and as an institution in America. In the following pages, I will address the sexual ethical issue of cohabitation prior to marriage. While it is clear my standpoint is solidly against this practice, I will analyze multiple facets of position on the issue at hand, including statistical data, theological research, and refined personal dilemmas to portray the issue in a non-bias fashion prior to concluding this research paper with a personally drawn conclusion on the issue based on the information collected and self reflection. In order to discuss the topic, it must first have a concrete definition. For this research, it is considered that cohabiters are defined as a non-legalized relationship between a man and a woman living together under marriage-like circumstances. Thus the common ground amongst the relationships discussed in this paper have a strong emphasis on not only living in the same dwelling, but also rely on the relationship for means of satisfying family, sexual, and economic functions. In cohabitation, the relationship is a “special type of primary relationship in which the partners aid each other in meeting socioemotional, sociosexual, sociopysical and socialeconomical need of one another.”[1] Cohabitation is a growing trend among young adult relationships and is considered by many to be taking an appropriate step in bringing the relationship to another level—the next level of intensity and intimacy. The occurrence of cohabiting couples has drastically increased since the 1970’s, commonly dubbed a side effect of the sexual revolution in the 1960’s. Prior to this time, living together
Cited: Beeson, Jen. Just Living Together : Implications of Cohabitation for Children, Families, and Social Policy. Ed. Alan Booth and Ann C. Crouter. Danbury: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Incorporated, 2002. Center for Disease Control. "Cohabitation, Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage." Vital Health and Statistics 23rd ser. 47 (2002): 9-13. "Common Causes for Divorce." Buzzle. 2008. 13 Nov. 2008 . Danziger, Carl. Unmarried Heterosexual Cohabitation. San Francisco, CA: R&E Associates, INC., 1978. Freeman, Michael D., and Christina M. Lyon. Cohabitation Without Marriage. Boston: Ashgate Company, 1983. November, Ester. "Living With Your Partner." Associated Content. 2008. Associated Content, INC. 13 Nov. 2008 . Sheehan, Michael J. Is Cohabitation Wrong? Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2002.