Question

1. List and elaborate on the reasons that there more singles today than ever before.

2. Describe why more and more people are choosing to cohabit.

3. List and elaborate on some advantages and disadvantages of cohabitation compared to marriage, specifically regarding legal protections, financial stability, life satisfaction, and the potential impact on children.

Answer 1

1. List and elaborate on the reasons that there are more singles today than ever before.

To my understanding the list would include:

a. Brought up to flourish as individuals – Individualism and personal achievement is a value system that these people have been brought up with. So, it is not considered wrong to pursue individual goals at the cost of relationships.

b. Economic wellbeing – The need to share arises when there is a lack. Most singles seem to be self sufficient economically. They don’t see the need to share resources.

c. Migrations – Societies are becoming more and more heterogenous globally. Because of this, people brought up in differen styles with very different value systems find themselves working together or living in the same neighborhood and so on. However, they are unable to adapt and prefer being single rather than living with someone else and making compromises.

2. Describe why more and more people are choosing to cohabit.

Cohabitation is a temporary arrangement. It is not perceived as a lifelong commitment, the way marriage is perceived. This gives individuals the freedom they desire. The freedom to move on if and when there is an opportunity without being tied down by felling of guilt or wrong doing. Cohabitation also comes with the promise of socializing of the pleasant category and that is alluring too!

3. List and elaborate on some advantages and disadvantages of cohabitation compared to marriage, specifically regarding legal protections, financial stability, life satisfaction, and the potential impact on children.

As compared to marriage, cohabitation is a relatively new social phenomenon. Some countries have it all worked out by now. However, it is not as organized in several other countries.

Mentioned below are aspects that are not country specific, with cohabitation highlighted.

Legal protection

There are laws in several countries specifically concerning cohabitation. Cohabiting couples enjoy fewer rights compared to married people. Cohabitation contract is a legally valid document in some countries. It outlines the rights and obligations of the couple towards each other. Further, another document spells how their property can be handled or shared.

Financial stability

Normally the couple do not have access to each other’s bank accounts. If the couple have a joint account, then both have access even if only one fills it. In case there is a dispute about who owns the money, it becomes a legal issue. It may be difficult to lay claim on the money if the partner has not been a contributor. However if there is a death of one partner, the other may have unlimited access to the joint account.

In case of a married couple sharing of finances is less complex, more so in case of death of one partner.

Life satisfaction

World over there have been fidelity issues in cohabiting couples. Married couples are likely to be more satisfied. Both men and women have higher satisfaction levels in the case of married couples.

Relationship stability is also higher in married couples as against cohabiting couples.

Potential impact on children

This is an area of concern as the growing up years have lifelong impact on children’s’ personalities.

In many societies’ parental responsibilities lasts upto the time a child turns 18.

There are different rules for cohabiting, separated couples. Both parents are responsible for financially supporting children, even if the father’s name is different on the birth certificate of the child.