Cohabitation is Popular, But It’s Still No Replacement for Marriage

March 17, 2026:

In Cohabitation is Popular, But It’s Still No Replacement for Marriage, authored by Rachel Sheffield and published by the Institute for Family Studies, readers gain a research-driven look at the growing trend of cohabitation and why it falls short of marriage as a foundation for stable family life.

The article highlights that more adults between the ages of 18 and 44 have cohabited than have ever been married, yet cohabiting relationships still lag far behind marriage in terms of commitment and longevity with only about 6% of cohabiting relationships still intact at 10 years, compared to roughly three-quarters of first marriages.

Readers will also learn that living together before marriage is associated with lower marital quality and stability, and that children in cohabiting households face greater instability than those with married parents. The article makes a compelling case for why young adults, educators, and communities should take the research on cohabitation seriously.

Source link