Cohabitation exposed

Abstract

The work acknowledges the fact that the number of cohabiting couples in Malta has increased and recognizes that many believe that living together before marriage will serve as a good testing ground for the relationship. The research indicates acceptability of cohabitation among young people who believe that living together before marriage makes sense. In addition, with greater societal acceptance of cohabitation and of expressive individualism in general, it may be more difficult for young people to indicate disapproval of any choice of life-style. It is maintained that cohabiters offer two key reasons to live outside the institution of marriage. First, living together is a way of gaining valid knowledge about potential spouses and secondly, it serves as a means for testing relationship compatibility. It has also been found that cohabitation avoids the risk of civil separation or of finding oneself stuck in a poor relationship.