Living Together: Do Men and Women Perceive It Differently?

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The Love Council on Aug 18, 2005 at 11:35AM

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Living Together: Do Men and Women Perceive It Differently?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of unmarried couples who live together has increased tenfold since 1960. But despite this growing number, evidence continues to suggest that cohabitating before marriage increases a couple's risk for divorce. Why? Studies done by Pamela Smock, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Michigan, reveal that there might be a fundamental difference in the way men and women perceive cohabitation: Women tend to view it as a step before marriage to that partner, whereas men tend to see living together as something they do before making any commitment. Are men really less committed than we think? And how much might that affect the strength of the future marriage? We asked the Love Council to weigh in.