Pros and Cons of Cohabitation free essay sample

In a cohabiting relationship, partners area able to reap the benefits of both ends of the spectrum. One of the glowing benefits many of those who practice cohabiting find is that living together prior to entering a lifelong commitment allows them to have a taste of what marriage is like without the binding agreement of forever. Cohabiting allows two people to live in the ways of marriage without the intimidating ersonal commitment of marriage†always having a way out if problems arise amongst the partners. With cohabitation, there is a limited amount of commitment necessary. On any account, any alteration in feelings, after any argument, or for no reason at all, either member can walk away from the relationship without any implications. On the better side, they are able to express their love and sexuality to each to each other without the restrains of living in separate places. When livng together, as author Ester November states, couples share a bonding experience. We will write a custom essay sample on Pros and Cons of Cohabitation or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page [4] Being able to sleep together on a regular basis bring two people close emotionally and hormonally. Sex aside, living together provides a forum for two people to get to know all aspects of each others personality. In close quarters, one is expected to see many, if not all types of emotions put forth by the other, and thus learns more about their lover with every experience with them. Many find that through cohabitation, they are living a more responsible existence, under the circumstance that they must also provide and uphold a residence, maturity level, and economic stance acceptable by another persons standards. ] The companionship of another person, even if out of a traditional marriage, is bound to instill a sense of self, as well as a heightened awareness of others in a person who is now not only living for themselves, but also an intricate and important part of anothers life. Before one is to completely condescends the practice of cohabitation, situations in which marriage is an unrealistic option must be taken into account. Marriage amongst those below the line of poverty is particularly uncommon, an issues that has gained political attention and aid. Economic well being is important to consider when contemplating marriage. For many, financial stability is a prerequisite to marriage because one has to be able to support themselves before they can support another, let alone considering adding children to the situation. [6] In the ever so common cohabitation amongst impoverish people, marriage seems like an irresponsible option. It is unrealistic that the marriage would be successful because of the financial stress†a factor that is one of the top 1 5 reasons for a divorce behind several facets of infidelity and abuse[7]†and the inability to provide substantially for the other spouse. Cohabiting provides an ption for those in which the only other options are to marry, which as stated is very unrealistic an most likely unhealthy for the relationship, or to stay single until an acceptable level of finance is achieve. Cohabitation allows these people to find love and happiness in a relationship, even amongst the never-ending stresses of a hard life. Lastly, one of the most prominent reasons for cohabitation is the loss of emphasis on the true meaning of marriage. As in tact marriages are now the minority to divorce in America†50% of first marriages, 67% of second marriages, and 76% of ofa failing institution. The problem, cohabiters argue, is that the ideal picture of marriage is portrayed almost as a form of fiction and is distinguishably different from the reality that begins after vows are exchanged; thus when marriage is achieved, the high expectations and perfect conditions that are constantly portrayed by the media are not met. This is followed by the increasing simplicity of divorce, these two conditions molding together to put a demeaning connotation on marriage as a whole. This trend has forced a disillusionment on the beauties that marriage can provide, and has replaced it with the accusation that contemporary marriage is a wretched institution. It spells the end of voluntary affection, of love freely given and joyously received. Beautiful romances are transmitted into dull marriages; eventually the relationship becomes constricting, corrosive, grinding and destructive. The beautiful love affair becomes a bitter contract. [9] Cohabiters argue that marriage has become something more established among the of the action rather than the substance and meaning marriage should and has held in the past. It is meaningless to be a member and a participant under and action that seems to lack a higher eaning of commitment, love, and passion. By living together out of wedlock, it seems that the failing system of marriage and divorce can be bypassed. There are no exterior pressures to change the status of the relationship prior to being fully prepared to do so. There is no rushing into a commitment that one may not be ready for. The innocent and beautiful affair (footnote 9) can continue and flourish beyond measure without being suffocated by such a failing establishment as marriage. On the contrary, it is claimed that cohabitation is in fact partially, if not a majority of the problem of the failing institution. While many practicing cohabiters claim the practice is in rebellion to the collapse of marriage, theologians have placed claims that living together before marriage is the source that has disrupted the integrity of marriage. The integrity of marriage lies in the sacrament of marriage, the holy union of two people in concordance with the love of Christ. The love between man and woman is a gift from God that is often trivialized by todays media and the commercialization of marriage or focus on the wedding ceremony, when the true meaning lies in the sacrament of love shared between the partners. 10] Many people, even of the catholic religion in which cohabiting is highly frowned upon, fail to grasp the violation premarital cohabitation commits on marriage. The love partners feel for each other often tempts couples to make the next step in the relationship and move in together, thus inviting temptation to encourage pre-marital sex.