Study: Cohabitation creates problems

By CHERYL FRANKENFIELD
Collegian Staff Writer

Students might not want to sign a lease before tying the knot, according to studies of couples living together before marriage.

More than 50 percent of American couples cohabit, and those who later marry are more likely to divorce than couples who do not live together first, based on a recent review of studies co-authored by David Popenoe, Rutgers University sociologist.

One study Popenoe considered showed the type of people who cohabit have higher divorce rates, he said. These people are inclined to take risks, be unconventional or have little interest in commitment -- reasons that can account for the higher rates.

Cohabitation might be changing some people's attitudes toward marriage, Popenoe said.

"(It) gives you a taste of what it's going to be like," Kristen Onasch (sophomore-English) said about living with a significant other outside of marriage.

The practice is common among people from broken homes because they might be more cautious and wish to cohabit as a trial marriage, Popenoe said. These findings call into question whether cohabitation is good for the institution of marriage, he said.

Some Penn State students could relate to the trend, either having friends who live together before marriage or living with a partner themselves.

Lauryn Coyne (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said her cousin lived with a partner for four or five years. Couples who live together and are not married have a different relationship than if they were married, Coyne said. Decisions about bills and routines are different when living with a boyfriend or girlfriend.

There are some things to consider while living with a boyfriend or girlfriend because this person is a roommate as well as a partner, Ona Gabriel (senior-elementary education) said. Communication skills and maturity are keys for a strong relationship regardless of living arrangements.

"When you're married, you know you're with this person (for life)," Coyne said, adding in some relationships, it's not definite whether marriage will be in the future.

In a way, it is different to live with a partner rather than a spouse because there are many levels of commitment, Gabriel said. But couples can learn about each other while living together, which can help a relationship, she added.

"It has become a lot more common than 20 years ago," Gabriel said. "I actually think it makes the relationship stronger."

Gabriel said there are exceptions to the trends revealed in the studies. For example, her parents lived together for three years prior to marriage and will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary soon.