Co-Habitiation Reminders: Mid-Terms Thursday (Period 1) and Monday (Period 3)! Todays Class Objectives: Look at the concept of Cohabitation Advantages Disadvantages Considerations Traditional Roles in Marriage Male Female Past vs. Present Changing Roles in Marriage Current trends 5 Types of Marriage 1. Conflict-Habituated 2. Devitalized 3. Passive-Congenial 4. Vital 5. Total The term cohabitation is used to describe non-marital living arrangements. Also referred to as: living together, common-law, trial marriage). 75% of all those who live together break-up. Ninety percent of people living together regard it as a temporary situation. The emotional impact of breaking up in a living together arrangement is the same as divorce. 1. Avoidance of the problems of marriage. 2. Freedom to end the relationship without legal hassles (for a while). 3. Avoid the costs and stress associated with marriage. 1. Guilt: Religious/societal reasons family and friends may disapprove. 2. Loss of other relationships (limits on dating, other friendships). 3. Different expectations one couple expects to marry, one does not. Who does what? 4. Children are illegitimate. 5. Legal issues: Breaking up: When a partner passes away Involved in accidents Who gets what? 6. No security If situation changes there is no commitment to hold them together: Job Change Unemployment 8. Little long range financial stability Reasons for Cohabitation 1. We want/need to focus on a career or business endeavor rather than personal life. 2. Witnessing the divorce of another couple/parents, friends, etc hesitant to commit to marriage. 3. Financial benefits from sharing. Problems of Cohabitating Couples Similar to those of newly married couples. 1. Sexual adjustment 2. Conflicts over who does the housework. 3. Working out problems in dealing with both families. Problems Unique to Cohabiting Couples 1. Guilt feelings because of non-traditional lifestyle which relatives and friends may not accept. 2. Difficulty in maintaining other relationships. 3. Less commitment and less liability to be open with each other for fear of breaking up the partnership. 4. Less attempt to settle major problems. 5. Different expectations of the partners. Any questions? What did we learn? Next Class