Advantages and Disadvantages of Cohabitating

Many couples in the world today would rather cohabitate before marriage because they have the erroneous belief that doing so will enable them know if they are well-suited for marriage. A research carried out in five colleges in the United States showed that majority of the students agreed that they would likely live together with their partners before considering marriage.

Advantages of Cohabitation

It lowers the cost of living, because the cost of food, rent, bills etc are split into two or in some cases, the bills are taken care of by one person. Women are usually beneficiaries of free bed and board.

Emotional support and sexual relations without the commitment of marriage. Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?

You can test your compatibility before agreeing to marriage, by doing this you are sure that you are very compatible with the person you are agreeing to marry and this might put your mind at ease.

Cohabitating will enable you know your partner's loyalty to you and enable you build trust that will not be shaken if or when the two of you finally agree to settle down in future.

Cohabitating will better help you prepare for marriage by living with someone and tolerating their bad habits, manners and attitudes.

Disadvantages of Cohabitation

The longer you stay together, chances are you might be comfortable with living with each other and avoid tying the knot altogether.

Cohabitating makes is easier for a partner to walk out of the relationship because after all, he or she is not obligated to you (legally). It encourages the easy exit for anyone who chooses to take it.

Cohabitations are usually short-lived

People who cohabitate are more likely to experience negative attitudes from their partners about marriage and child bearing and most are likely to see divorce as a solution to a troubled marriage.

Females who cohabitate are the ones who suffer the most loss during the break-up of the relationship. Women in their late twenties or early thirties have lost both time (biological ticking clock) and sometimes their dignity in the process of cohabitating with their partner.

No one can say for sure that it is better to live with someone first before marrying them. Why would anyone want to be in a relationship with someone who thinks that the marriage institution is a load of bull? It is easier to walk out of a live-in relationship than a marriage because everyone knows what it involves to end a marriage.

Some pastors and marriages counsellors have this advice for young adults: "If you (still) believe in the marriage institution, it is better you find someone who believes in marriage and the sanctity of it. No one who believes in the sanctity of marriage will ever suggest that you should cohabitate with them first in order to know if you are well-suited for each other. Marriage is an institution and you can't learn outside an institution".