Rates of cohabitation are rising throughout the Western world as a precursor, a substitute or a successor of marriage. However, compared to legal marriage, women and children seem to be worse off in those living arrangements for several reasons. Therefore, this paper sought to explore the impacts of cohabitation on women and children and how different jurisdictions responded to the rising rates of cohabitation.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The types of cohabitation
- Cohabitation as a prelude to marriage
- Cohabitation as a substitute for marriage
- Post-divorce cohabitation
- Union stability
- The impact of cohabitation on women
- The impact of cohabitation on children
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze the impact of cohabitation on the life and well-being of women and children, comparing it to legal marriage. It focuses on heterosexual cohabitation as a consensual union of unmarried individuals who reside together and share an intimate relationship.
- The various types of cohabitation: prelude to marriage, substitute for marriage, and post-divorce cohabitation.
- The stability of cohabiting relationships, particularly in comparison to marriage.
- The effects of cohabitation on women's happiness, health, financial well-being, and vulnerability to domestic violence.
- The impact of cohabitation on the well-being and development of children.
- The social, legal, and economic implications of the increasing prevalence of cohabitation.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by outlining the different forms of cohabitation, distinguishing between premarital, non-marital, and post-divorce cohabitation. Each type is characterized by different motivations and dynamics. The essay then examines the stability of cohabitation, highlighting studies that indicate higher dissolution rates in comparison to marriage. It explores various explanations for this trend, including differing values, weaker commitment, and the perceived lower costs of relationship termination.
The essay then focuses on the impact of cohabitation on women, analyzing key indicators such as happiness, health, and financial outcomes. It discusses research suggesting that cohabiting women tend to experience lower levels of happiness and well-being compared to their married counterparts, with a greater prevalence of depression and neurotic symptoms. The essay also examines the connection between cohabitation and domestic violence, pointing to studies that reveal higher rates of violence among cohabiting couples.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Cohabitation, family, women, children, marriage, union stability, domestic violence, well-being, financial outcomes, social implications, legal recognition, societal norms.
- Quote paper
- Christine Schlapa (Author), 2007, The impact of cohabitation on women and children, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/73797
