The pros and cons of cohabitating.

Cohabitation, sometimes called de facto marriage, is fast becoming an alternative to the conventional marriage. For decades, most people believed that living together before marriage would increase their odds of marriage. The reason being that cohabiting would provide a “test” of the relationship.

 This seems logically a good idea, but research does not  support this.

When a survey of the reasons why people cohabit was done, most couples listed reasons such as spending more time together, convenience based reasons, and testing the relationships, while few gave the reason that they do not believe in marriage. The extremely high cost of housing and tight budgets of today’s economy are also factors that can lead a couple to cohabitation.

Couples live together as a way of trying out marriage to test compatibility with their partners, while still having the option of ending the relationship without legal implications. “Most see cohabitating as a prelude to marriage.”

Research shows that greater percent of divorce comes from couples that cohabit before marriage.

A lot of couple believes that moving in together will make them know their would-be partner very well. But come to think of it, how do you expect a man to come and pay a woman’s bride price when he is already enjoying all the benefits of marriage.

Our present society it is rather unfortunate that cohabitation is common in the higher institutions. Most students cohabits for several reasons ranging to lack of accommodation, financial constraint…..
While cohabiting, the woman will cook for the man, wash his cloths and most will start making children in the name of convincing the man that she is a marriage.
Research shows Cohabitation brings a greater risk of sexually transmitted diseases, because cohabiting men are four times more likely to be unfaithful husbands. Men who cohabitates are seen as men who are not ready for commitment, and only God knows how many women they will test before settling for one.

Marriage is a true sign of commitment and many men know it.

Most religions in the world forbids cohabitation.

There are many reasons that people use to justify moving in with each other, but honestly they are not good enough.

You can get to know other very well without moving in together.

Mr Benson an electrical engineer said that there is no difference between marriage and cohabiting because the benefits are the same, marriage is just a waste of money.

Mr Tijani, a driver said that cohabiting is just like leasing a house instead of buying it. When you rent, you are able to leave at the end of the year when your lease is up if you no longer likes the house. When you buy a house, it’s a different ball game altogether.

Mr Uche, a business man said that saves cost, when you consider how much you pay to rent your house and also a house for a lady not to talk of feeding and other expenses involve, then you will know why you should consider her moving in with you for the main time before getting married.

Mr Ibru  opined that if the couple define the relationship and  respects boundary, they can still live together and be fine.

Mr Kenneth on the other hand said that if the condition calls for it and the couples are in love; then there is no problem. Cohabitation can be an alternative to marriage in situations where marriage is not possible for financial or family reasons.

Mr Bassey, a civil servant said it is very necessary for couple to live together so as to know themselves before getting married. He said “just as nobody buys a car without taking it for a test-drive”, most people about two thirds of couples don’t get married any more until they’ve lived with their proposed lifetime partners.

Mr Dosie strongly disagreed with the issue of cohabiting as it is against his believe as a Christian because more than 80 percent of those that cohabits and up in committing fornication.

Mr Ikenna referred to cohabiting as a sin before God and man, he pointed out that all religions forbid it. “Our culture is against that kind of lifestyle”.

Miss Stella said that ladies that cohabit do not know what they want  and they don’t have any respect for their family.

Mrs Udeme Ukpong a teacher said  it is uncultured for a lady to move in to a man’s house when he has not paid his bride price because our religion and tradition is against it. More so, cohabiting women contribute more than 70 percent of the relationship’s income because men that will give consent to cohabitation are men who try to run away from responsibilities. Cohabiting women often end up with the responsibilities of marriage particularly when it comes to caring for children without the legal protection.

Why pay for the milk when you can have as much as you want for free!!!!