Shacking Up No Longer a Major Divorce Predictor
Yet another reason to live in sin.
A new government study finds that men and women who live together before marriage no longer run a higher risk of divorcing like they did in years past.
Oh, but I should mention….being engaged helps.
"[Living together before marriage] is not playing as big a role in predicting divorce as it used to," said Casey Copen, the lead author of the study.
But the study, which surveyed 22,000 men and women, found that the divorce rate is higher if the shacking up couple isn’t engaged. So if you’re living together and marriage isn’t in the works, but you do eventually end up getting married, that marriage is more likely to end. How much more likely? About 7 percent.
If a couple is living together without an engagement, the chance of the marriage lasting more than 15 years is 53 percent. For an engaged couple living together, that number is 60 percent.
To explain the trend, Copen said the non-engaged couples might not take commitment seriously or have family histories that made them pessimistic about marriage.
So commitment seems to be the key word here.
Hillary Mickell first moved in with her husband when they were both students at Boston University. They now live in San Francisco.
"I sort of knew he would be part of my life long-term,” Hilary says of moving in with her husband before they were married. “I wasn't thinking, `He's moving in with me, is he ever going to marry me?'"
So it looks like living in sin won’t hurt your marriage…as long as you do plan on getting married.
Other interesting statistics from the study:
* Men and women with Bachelor’s degrees are more likely to stay married for at least 20 years. However, they also delay marriage.
* Asian women are more likely than other races to have a first marriage lasting longer than 20 years.
it always amazes me that the right talks about how there is a sanctity in marriage...and yet have been divorced once or twice... hummm... Or the right makes pledges with their kids to not have sex.... and yet those same kids have the same rate of STDs as the populous.
I believe in marriage... i believe in the sacrifice and responsibility that comes along with it(unlike Rush and Newt)...
I also believe that people are free to make their own decision on whether they want to be married or not...
Crying tree....
Don't you mean to say "Why buy the milk when you have a cow at home"?
Lets be serious.. If you are married you have to combine your earnings and if one spouse makes more money, then the other can not get on gov't support ie...free medical, food stamps, and your company insurance will eat you up if you have to add a spouse and kids. Getting married is a commitment and too many people are committed to the gov't to pay their bills for them.
Living together is nothing but a longer courtship that gives longer time to manipulate,lie
and sell yourself for the marriage. Loving comes with years together with trials and tribulations. I was introduced to my husband a week before the wedding. We both were strangers to each other. We were married for 25 years till a heat attack took my husband.It was 23 years ago. I still love him and miss him.
love: friendship, dating, sex & marriage
-
11 modern wedding color schemes
We’ve made picking your palette a breeze! Just find your favorite hue and choose one of the cool combos below.
-
11 ideas for a summer wedding
Get inspired with these twelve ideas for a fantastic, fun summer wedding!
-
Marriage proposals gone wrong
What's worse than getting snubbed while proposing? Having your heart broken in front of countless strangers.
-
25 ways to not have a boring wedding ceremony
Want your I do's to be totally you? From pre-wedding cocktails to Mad Lib vows, here are 25 ways to make your ceremony as unforgettable as your reception.
-
17 rules for summer love
Summer love can be sweet. But it tends to be fast, feverish and often fleeting. In a season where emotions run hot, here are some rules to help avoid heartbreak.
-
5 people who might try to ruin your wedding
We asked brides on TheKnot.com to tell all -- and they did. Here, five of the most likely culprits and advice for how to deal with your drama-causing guests along the way.
-
The best ways to flirt
This short course in flirting will not only teach you how to flirt better but also how to tell when someone is flirting with you—and how to respond. Have fun.
-
10 'Great Gatsby'-inspired wedding details
Gatsby glamour doesn’t have to just live on the big screen! Embrace the trendy (yet timeless) art deco style with sequins, pearls, feathers and geometric patterns. Check out these art deco ideas and achieve the feel of 1920s decadence. By the way, all of these are affordable, except for the $600 hairpiece which is a splurge, but a knockout. Shop the look!
-
Summer love: Is it a fling or the real thing?
Wondering if your summer love will last? Here are 15 signs if your seasonal love is fleeting or for real.
-
The most memorable star-crossed movie couples
Sixteen years after "Titanic’s" release—and 101 years after the historic ship’s notorious sinking—our hearts still go on for star-crossed lovers Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) and Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio). We rounded up some of our favorite ill-fated, but oh-so-romantic affairs on film, from "Gone with the Wind" to "Moulin Rouge!".
-
How to flirt with your husband
Flirting shouldn't be retired once you've got the ring. We asked relationship expert Harlan Cohen, as well as real husbands, the best way to keep the sparks flying.
-
Your man questions, manswered
When we're annoyed by male behavior, we turn to columnist Aaron Traister. His logic may be strange, but we have to admit, it's pretty helpful. Here, he answers our many questions for guys.
