By Living Together, I'm Completely Committed to You: Cohabitation and Childbearing as Commitment

• In Event: 1283 - Section on the Sociology of the Family Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 04. Qualitative Studies of Couples and Relationships

Abstract

Recent increases in the average age at first marriage and declines in the overall marriage rate, coupled with increased rates of cohabitation and childbearing before and without marriage, have led some social commentators to posit that the recent generation of young adults has renounced, or even “killed,” marriage. Further, many speculate that young people do not value marriage, generating the perceived explosion of unmarried young adults in the last few decades. Through individual interviews with middle-class, heterosexual couples between the ages of 24-37, this research will address young adults’ perception of marriage, cohabitation, engagement, and childbearing. These dating, engaged, or married individuals make it clear that marriage is desired, though there are other, and sometimes stronger, ways then enact commitment. For some, cohabitation holds the same value, whereas for others, childbearing creates the unbreakable bond. Many spoke of establishing commitment to their partners by sharing a home together. Others note that marriage was dissolvable but having a child together was the truest enactment of commitment. Regardless, all respondents wanted to marry eventually, were planning their weddings, or had already married, illustrating that the desire to marry is alive and well among young adults.

Author

• Lauren Harris, University of Pennsylvania