Jan. 29, 1999

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Copies of the report or interviews with researchers can be arranged by calling  Stacey Hersh at (732) 932-7084, extension 616, or contacting  the National Marriage Project at (732) 932-2722.  The National Marriage Project can be reached via e-mail at <marriage@rci.rutgers.edu>.
 
TO THE POINT: National Marriage Project report warns about the risks of living together before marriage

NEW BRUNSWICK/PISCATAWAY, N.J.- Living together before marriage can be detrimental to future relationships and ultimately the stability of marriage, concludes a report released today (Feb. 3) by the National Marriage Project based at Rutgers.

"Should We Live Together? What Young Adults Need to Know About Cohabitation Before Marriage" analyzed the latest research on changing trends in nonmarital cohabitation and the relationships between cohabitation, marriage, and social and economic well-being.

The report notes a significant rise in the practice and public acceptance of cohabitation since the 1960s, when cohabitation between heterosexuals was illegal in most states and considered immoral. Today, more than 4 million unmarried couples in America live together, versus less than half a million in 1960. More than half of all first marriages are now preceded by cohabitation, and a national survey of high school seniors found nearly 60 percent felt that it was a good idea to live together before marriage to "find out whether they really get along."

"Living together before marriage seems like a harmless, or even progressive family trend until you look at the evidence," explained report co-author David Popenoe, co-director of the National Marriage Project and a professor of sociology at Rutgers.

Some key findings of the report are:

• Living together before marriage increases the risk of breaking up after marriage.

• Living together outside of marriage increases the risk of domestic violence for women, and the risk of physical and sexual abuse for children.

• Unmarried couples have lower levels of happiness and well-being than married couples.

"These findings are really quite surprising," said Popenoe, "and they should be carefully considered by all young Americans."

In light of these findings, the authors suggest four principles to guide young adults in the practice of cohabitation before marriage:

• Consider not living together at all before marriage.

Cohabitation may be harmful as a try-out for marriage and does not create a stronger marriage. Couples who live together before marriage are more likely to divorce.

• Do not make a habit of cohabiting.

Multiple living experiences can negatively impact one's sense of well-being and reduce one's chances of establishing a strong lifelong partnership. Multiple cohabiting is a strong predictor of the failure of future relationships.

• Limit cohabitation to the shortest period of time.

The longer people live together, the more likely it is that the low-commitment ethic of cohabitation will take hold, which is the opposite of what is required for a successful marriage.

• Do not cohabit if children are involved.

Cohabiting parents break up at higher rates than married parents and the effects can be devastating and often long lasting. Children living in cohabiting unions are at higher risk of sexual abuse and physical violence, including lethal violence.

"Today's young adults have grown up in the midst of divorce and they want to avoid it in their own marriages. These principles may help point them in the right direction," said Barbara Dafoe Whitehead, report co-author and co-director of the National Marriage Project.

The report notes that cohabitation was found to be least harmful, though not necessarily helpful, for senior citizens who cohabit for economic reasons and for couples who are engaged to be married.

The report concludes, "By all of the empirical evidence at our disposal, not to mention the wisdom of the ages, the institution of marriage remains a cornerstone of a successful society. And the practice of cohabitation, far from being a friend of marriage, looks more and more like its enemy."

The National Marriage Project is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian and interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to providing research and analysis on the state of marriage in America and to educate the public on the social, economic and cultural conditions affecting marital success and well-being. This report is the first of a series to be released as part of the project's Next Generation Program, an intensive look at family behavior and attitudes toward marriage of the nation's young people.

Contact: Stacey B. Hersh
(732) 932-7084, extension 616
E-mail: shersh@ur.rutgers.edu