Increasing numbers of young couples are moving in together before marriage.
According to The State of Our Unions 2007, a report by the National Marriage Project at New Jersey's Rutgers University, "(more than) half of all first marriages are now preceded by living together, compared to virtually none 50 years ago."
Proponents of the trend cite emotional closeness and financial stability as cohabitation's advantages.
Research demonstrates the drawbacks: About half of all couples who cohabitate before marriage separate within five years.
Experts point out there are steps couples can take to increase their odds at success. Their suggestions are similar to pre-marital counseling, stress commitment and honesty.
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What do you think is driving the trend toward more cohabitating before marriage? Do you think it's any better for couples to cohabitate and split up than to get married and divorce? Why or why not? What sorts of healthy or unhealthy trends might cohabitating couples form? What do you think is the healthiest option for couples and families?
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