probably generates a
greater willingness to
dissolve later
relationships,
including marriages.
Such individuals may
also have a relatively
low tolerance for
unhappiness in a
relationship 14 and
choose to "bail out" rather than learn to work through
differences.
Eight Reasons Why Marriage Is Better than Cohabitation
In a comparison of relationship benefits and costs, marriage
wins over cohabitation. First, as described above, cohabitation
lowers one's chances of marital satisfaction. Cohabitors also
have a different perspective on time than
marrieds have. 15 Marriage, by definition, means, "I will always
be here for you." Marrieds' longterm contract encourages
emotional investment in the relationship. In contrast,
cohabitation for most seems to mean, "I will be here only as
long as the relationship meets my needs."
Thus, cohabitors feel less secure in their relationships. In
addition, cohabitors are less likely than marrieds to view their
JOY FEELINGS