1. University of Costa Rica
LM-1351
Rosa María Rodríguez P.
A64857
THE COHABITATION: AS THE BEST
ALTERNATIVE FOR A COUPLE WHO
WANT TO LIVE TOGETHER

2. Posible definitions of Cohabitation:

3. It has been called by various terms, such as:
living together
shacking up
cohabitation
serial monogamy or
living in sin.
(Waite & Gallagher 2000:42).

4. POINTS OF VIEW:

6. Advantages
Over half of all first marriages are now preceded by living
together, compared to virtually none 50 years ago.
(Bumpass and Lu, 2000)
More men and women are moving in together, sharing an
apartment and a bed without getting married first and
doing it more openly today (Waite & Gallagher 2000:36).

7. “Negative Aspects”
"Cohabitation - It's Training for Divorce"
Chuck Colson (1995)
Low levels of religious importance/participation are
related to higher levels of cohabitation and lower rates of
subsequent marriage (Markey 1999; Krishnan1998; Lye
& Waldron 1997; Thornton, Axinn & Hill 1992;
Liefbroer 1991; Sweet 1989).

8. SPECIAL CASES:

9. Gay Couples

10. STATISTICS:

11. 25% of Americans believe cohabitation is morally wrong
(VanGoethem 2005:184).

13. 30% of cohabiting couples have been previosly married
(VanGoethem 2005:183)

14. THANK YOU!