No rings, no strings : Cohabitation's challenge to marriage

Abstract

The aim of this study is not to solve the many problems afflicting marriages, but to create awareness to the ever growing phenomenon of cohabitation both as a precursor to marriage or as an alternative to marriage. The latter arrangement offers all the rights normally associated with marriage without the commitment that is the most essential element in the formation of a family. So what is happening to marriage? The present world societies are experiencing great difficulties in answering this question. It is an accepted fact that the current cultural climate, particularly in Western Europe and the United States of America, is not conducive to strong, lasting marriages that is so essential for childbearing by stable two parent families. If Western Europe and the United States hope to overcome the increasing social and economic erosion of the traditional family values and stem the tide of divorce, fatherlessness, cohabitation and out-of-wedlock childbearing, it is crucial to listen to what the young people are saying. The changes in culture, traditional values and attitudes that have occurred in recent decades are unprecedented. The culture of Western Europe has been based traditionally on Christian values. Few Christians have failed to hear that sex before marriage is wrong, but a large percentage of Christians still do it. This choice has many consequences on a couple's future marriage. Based on the behaviour of young Christian adults, the Catholic communities send conflicting messages about the future of the Catholic religion. De facto unions and single parenthood have become so widespread that they have become an accepted new way of forming a family without the stigma that it entailed fifty years ago. The configuration of de facto unions is made uµ of µeoµk with diverse civil status which includes not only single partners but also divorced or separated individuals. This also shows the disaffection for the stability of marriage. While many couples forming de facto unions want to normalize their civil status in conformity with Catholic teachings, other are precluded from realizing their wish as Canon Law negates them the possibility of doing so.