Marriage vs. Cohabitation – The Dilemma of a Choice
Keywords:
Marriage, concubinage, cohabitation, functionality, genderAbstract
In recent decades, in several countries, including Romania, changes have been observed regarding the evolution and development of relationships between conjugal partners. Whereas in the past the norm dictated that conjugal partners should marry in order to live together and have children - with any alternative being deemed inappropriate - nowadays both marriage and cohabitation represent forms of civil union. The period during which two conjugal partners form a couple and/or live together has significantly increased, with consensual union becoming an increasingly popular alternative to marriage. The aim of this paper revolves around a dilemma that has become increasingly evident in young people’s decision to live together: “What is the main life choice of young people: marriage or cohabitation?” In this regard, the paper will focus on identifying the characteristics of each type of relationship, analyzing the differences and similarities between the two, and presenting their advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, by analyzing the responses provided by the selected group, I intend to identify the ways in which the two forms of conjugal cohabitation affect both the individual on a personal level and society from social, economic, religious, and emotional perspectives.
References
Apostu, I. (2016). The two dimension of infidelity. Postmodern Openings, 7(2), 167–178. https://doi.org/10.18662/po/2016.0702.11
Apostu, I. (2018). Conceptual referendum – socio-legal aspects and social consequences. Jurnalul de Studii Juridice, 13(1–2), 103–110. https://doi.org/10.18662/jls/24
Burgess, E. W., & Cottrell, L. S. (1939). Predicting success or failure in marriage. Prentice-Hall.
De Beauvoir, S. (2022). Al doilea sex, vol. I [The Second Sex, vol. I] (M. Ionescu & E. Ciocoiu, Trans.). Humanitas.
Gault-Sherman, M., & Draper, S. (2012). What will the neighbours think? The effect of moral communities on cohabitation. Review of Religious Research, 54(1), 45–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13644-011-0039-9
Ghebrea, G. (1999). Factori care afectează stabilitatea cuplului marital [Factors affecting marital stability]. Calitatea Vieții, 10(1–2), 3–41. https://revistacalitateavietii.ro/journal/article/view/1025?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Gubernskaya, Z. (2010). Changing attitudes toward marriage and children in six countries. Sociological Perspectives, 53(2), 179–200. https://doi.org/10.1525/sop.2010.53.2.179
Hertel, J., Schütz, A., DePaulo, B. M., Morris, W. L., & Stucke, T. S. (2007). E singură, și ce dacă? Cum sunt percepuți persoanele singure în comparație cu persoanele căsătorite? E singură... și ce dacă? Cum sunt percepuți persoanele singure în comparație cu persoanele căsătorite? [She’s single, so what? How are singles perceived compared with people who are married?] Revista de Cercetare a Familiei, 19 (2), p. 139-158. https://doi.org/10.20377/jfr-301
Jamieson, L., Anderson, M., McCrone, D., Bechhofer, F., Stewart, R., & Li, Y. (2002). Cohabitation and commitment: Partnership plans of young men and women. The Sociological Review, 50(3), 356-377. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-954X.00387
Morris, W. L., Sinclair, S., & DePaulo, B. M. (2007). No shelter for singles: The perceived legitimacy of marital status discrimination. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 10(4), 457-470. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430207081535
Newcomb, M. D., & Bentler, P. M. (1980). Cohabitation before marriage: A comparison of married couples who did and did not cohabit. Alternative Lifestyles, 3(1), 65-85. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01083030
Pastuh, L. (2018). Concubinajul în viața tinerilor [Cohabitation in the lives of young people]. In Integration through research and innovation: Social sciences (1st ed., pp. 228-232). Central Publishing Office of the State University of Moldova. https://ibn.idsi.md/vizualizare_articol/79938
Peterson, G. W., & Bush, K. R. (Eds.). (2013). Handbook of marriage and the family (3rd ed.). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3987-5
Pisica, S. (2022). Evenimente demografice [Demographic events]. Institutul Național de Statistică.
Ponzetti, J. J., & Mutch, B. H. (2006). Marriage as covenant: Tradition as a guide to marriage education in the pastoral context. Pastoral Psychology, 54(3), 215-230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-006-6324-9
Voinea, M. (2005). Familia contemporană. Mică enciclopedie [The contemporary family. A small encyclopedia]. Focus.
Weiner, D. I. (2007). Uncertain future of marriage and the alternatives. UCLA Women’s Law Journal, 16(1), 97-135. https://doi.org/10.5070/L3161017801
Yllo, K. A. (1978). Nonmarital cohabitation. Alternative Lifestyles, 1(1), 37–54. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/
BF01081970
