cohabition

• unmarried couples living together without legal responsibility
• 3 million in uk cohabit
• HAS DIFFERENT MEANINGS

  temporary arrangment

  trial of marriage for compatibility

  long term alternative of marriage

  more equal relationship
• REASONS

  changing role of women less pursuit of housewife role and financial dependence leads them to cohabit and not marry
• REASONS

  changing social attitudes and no longer stigma of sex before marriage so more likely to cohabit
• REASONS

  growing secularisation so people with no religious beliefs can cohabit
• REASONS

  fear of divorce due to high rates HOWEVER 80% remarry showing a disillusion of marriage
• REASONS

  reduced risk society so young couples cohabit to avoid legal commitment for long term like marriage