Does cohabitation “cause” divorce? Why or why not?

Social Psychology (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Chapter1: Introducing Social Psychology
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Does cohabitation “cause” divorce? Why or why not?

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Introduction

Living together in the same house as spouses or as unmarried partners is known as Cohabitation. Alimony is often terminated due to cohabitation, with the assumption that a person cohabiting with another no longer requires the support of a former spouse.

Cohabitation leads to divorce

Premarital cohabitation has risen dramatically in recent years, with more than 70% of US couples cohabiting prior to marriage. The main reason for premarital cohabitation is that it allows the couple to get to know each other better and determine if they are compatible enough to marry. Premarital cohabitation, on the other hand, has been linked to a higher risk of divorce, a lower quality of marriage, poorer marital communication, and higher levels of domestic violence, according to numerous studies. However, there are some studies (less in numbers) that disprove the link between premarital cohabitation and divorce.

It's also possible that after cohabitation, people will view divorce as less serious, as separation is more natural in cohabitation.  The debate over the overall worth of premarital cohabitation centers on whether the negative relationship between cohabitation and divorce is due to process or selection factors.

 

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