Cohabiting is an arrangement in which individuals live together but are not permanently committed to each other, while marriage is a committed relationship recognized by the law. In some cases, individuals cohabiting transition to marriage, while others end up ending the relationship. Regardless, there are advantages and disadvantages related to the two, similarities and differences. The quality of life in any arrangement is mainly influenced individuals’ commitment ( Kline et al., 2004). This literature review sets to give an in-depth analysis of the differences between marriage and cohabitation, the dynamics that affect the quality of life before and after the marriage of cohabiting couples, level of commitment, and factors that ensure relationship success in either cases.
A Comparison between Marriage and Cohabiting
Various protocols can be used to bring out the similarities and differences between marriage and cohabitation. According to Sassler et al. (2020), conceptual boundaries are used to differentiate the two. One of the differences is that cohabiting individuals are generally seen as those who are in a relationship and share a residence. On the other hand, married couples are legally recognized and engage in a more formal arrangement compared to those in a cohabiting arrangement. The differences are unevenly described in different populations; hence, standardization might not apply to all cases. In the US, cohabitation is viewed as a pre-requisite to marriage because couples get to test their compatibility (Rhoades et al., 2008). In most cases, they are less stable compared to marriages (Jose et al., 2010).
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Most importantly, marriage connotes more responsibility compared to cohabitation. Marriage, in most cases, requires an investment that might be emotional or even legal (Poortman & Mills, 2012). One of the similarities is that both arrangements is they are unions that, in most cases, start because of love. Also, in most populations, cohabiting partners and married individuals are viewed as family, mainly because, today, cohabitation is widely considered an alternative to marriage, especially in Scandinavian countries.
Analysis of Commitment in Cohabitation and Marriages
Different research bodies assert significant disparities in the level of commitment in cohabitation unions and marriages. Nock (1995) claims that sociological processes significantly influence the difference in commitment among cohabiting couples and married couples. According to a survey of 2,493 married couples (MCs) and 499 cohabiting couples carried by the author, the results confirmed poor relationship outcomes among cohabiting couples, probably because such an arrangement is not institutionalized. There are, however, opposing views on the level of commitment in such relationships. Niehuis et al.( 2013) assert that commitment in cohabiting relationships might be higher but satisfaction lower. However, as the relationship progresses, this, together with other relationship indices such as relationship quality, gradually reduces.The level of commitment is mainly influenced by the intentions of those involved in the relationships. For example, where individuals have break-up perceptions, the commitment is lower than when there is a perception of a long-lasting relationship or one that would lead to marriage.
The Impact of Cohabitation on Marital Dissolution
Cohabitation prior to marriage has both direct and indirect impacts on marriage quality, commitment, and dissolution. Manning et al. (2012) assert that there is a positive correlation between cohabitation and marriage dissolution. However, there are dynamics related to such outcomes in that the authors claim that dissolution related to prior cohabitation is higher among white spouses than Black and Mexican Americans. One reason for the high level of instability is that women who cohabit before marriage have an increased number of sexual partners compared to those who do not. Additionally, cohabiting women are likely to have children, which could cause marital instability if such women do not marry the individuals they cohabited with or had children with (Manning et al., 2012).Kline et al. (2004) also assert that cohabitation is linked with adverse marriage outcomes. One of the reasons for failure given by the authors is the lack of a formal commitment between couples. Also, there is an intricate relationship between the timing of cohabitation and the engagement of couples. As a result, first cohabitation lasts less than first marriages (Chandra et al., 2010).
Quality of Relationship during Cohabiting and Marriage
Research shows that relationship quality is higher among couples who marry without cohabiting initially (Brown et al., 2015). However, the level of happiness in such relationships differs significantly. According to Brown et al. (2015), the level of happiness is lowest among men in a cohabiting relationship but without the intention of marriage. However, the authors conclude that cohabitation is no longer a significant risk for marriage dissolution since most of such arrangements do not lead to marriage but are meant for childbearing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, marriage and cohabitation differ in that in most cases; marriage is an official arrangement that is likely to last longer than cohabitation, which is mainly for a limited period, especially for individuals who want to test their compatibility for marriage. While in both arrangements, couples are viewed as family, the level of satisfaction mainly differs. Cohabiting individuals who aim to marry are likely to be happier compared to those who aspire to end the relationship. The quality of a relationship is also higher among married couples who did not cohabit before marriage. It is also worth noting that marriages in which any of the partners initially cohabited are likely to end compared to those in which couples did not cohabit prior to marriage.
References
Brown, S. L., Manning, W. D., & Payne, K. K. (2015). Relationship Quality Among Cohabiting Versus Married Couples. Journal of Family Issues , 38 (12), 1730–1753. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513x15622236
Chandra, A., Goodwin, P., & Mosher, W. D. (2010,). Marriage and cohabitation in the United States; a statistical portrait based on cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/11562.
Jose, A., O’Leary, K. D., & Moyer, A. (2010). Does Premarital Cohabitation Predict Subsequent Marital Stability and Marital Quality? A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family , 72 (1), 105–116. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2009.00686.x
Kline, G. H., Stanley, S. M., Markman, H. J., Olmos-Gallo, P. A., St. Peters, M., Whitton, S. W., & Prado, L. M. (2004). Timing Is Everything: Pre-Engagement Cohabitation and Increased Risk for Poor Marital Outcomes. Journal of Family Psychology , 18 (2), 311–318. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.18.2.311
Manning, W. D., & Cohen, J. A. (2012). Premarital Cohabitation and Marital Dissolution: An Examination of Recent Marriages. Journal of Marriage and Family , 74 (2), 377–387. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2012.00960.x
Nock, S. L. (1995). A Comparison of Marriages and Cohabiting Relationships. Journal of Family Issues , 16 (1), 53–76. https://doi.org/10.1177/019251395016001004
Niehuis, S., Reifman, A., & Lee, K.-H. (2013). Disillusionment in Cohabiting and Married Couples. Journal of Family Issues , 36 (7), 951–973. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513x13498594
Poortman, A.-R., & Mills, M. (2012). Investments in Marriage and Cohabitation: The Role of Legal and Interpersonal Commitment. Journal of Marriage and Family , 74 (2), 357–376. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2011.00954.x
Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., & Markman, H. J. (2008). Couples' Reasons for Cohabitation: Associations with Individual Well-Being and Relationship Quality. Journal of Family Issues , 30 (2), 233–258. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513x08324388
Sassler, S., & Lichter, D. T. (2020). Cohabitation and Marriage: Complexity and Diversity in Union‐Formation Patterns. Journal of Marriage and Family , 82 (1), 35–61. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12617
