Should Cohabitation Before Marriage Be Encouraged
Should Cohabitation Before Marriage be Encouraged? In the 21 century, marriage is no longer considered as a life binding commitment to one person. A decrease in the number of marriages and an increase in cohabitation both have come in the wake of a large increase in divorce in the last thirty years (David G. Green, 2000). Cohabitation is more popular nowadays because the current generation would like to know whether they are compatible. They also can see the habit and character of their partner by living together. The cohabitation may be defined as an intimate sexual union between two unmarried partners who live together as husband and wife without legally marrying. Although cohabitation before marriage could perhaps bring advantages like provide companionship, financial benefits and marriage be more stable, there are also some disadvantages of cohabitation. Firstly, opponents argue that the cohabitation provides companionship and compatibility. However, the rate of domestic violence among cohabitation couples are higher. Cohabitation also makes women more vulnerable to abuse ( Stephen, D. and Alysse M. ElHage , 2005). The violent relationship can lead to many negative effects such as alcohol problem, depression, aggression or suicide. Besides, there also have a higher risk of physical, emotional and mental abuse due to the unstable cohabitation relationship. Even though living together can reduce the feel of loneliness for cohabitation couples, the personal space and privacy for each other also will be reduced. They have no freedom because everything cannot be hidden from one another and also they always cling for every free moment that can cause no sense of personal space. Therefore, a lot of people break their relationship in order to get more personal space. Secondly, opponents argue that cohabitation before marriage can bring financial benefits. The cohabitation couples not only can cut the rent costs in half, they also can split the utility bills,