Question

does cohabitation before marriage increase the likelihood of staying together?

Answer 1

Cohabitation before marriage refers to the couple living together as a "trial period" of their marriage. Studies have been conducted and have shown different results. Some studies say that cohabitation before marriage increases the likelihood of a divorce because it almost seems that a person is being indirectly forced into the marriage. Also, it becomes harder to leave the relation even if they think they are with an incompatible partner, because they have already invested so much into the relation. Seeing these factors, once the couple do get married, they aren't able to hold onto the marriage anymore and get divorced.
   However, studies conducted on the gender and cultural differences have shown that women are more likely to be in cohabitual relationships and see to it as a precursor to marriage, whereas men seem to be less invested in it. Different cultures have also shown different results.
   Thus, in the end it is difficult to say whether cohabitation increases the likelihood of staying together or increases the chance of a divorce because a lot of subjective factors are taken into consideration. At the end, it depends on the individual couple and their needs and an analysis of where they are in their relationship before they take up the decision.