New data from the National Center for Health Statistics indicates a significant shift in how couples are forming their first unions. Cohabitation – living together without being married – is increasingly common, and couples are staying together longer and starting families at higher rates than in the past.
Changing Trends in Union Formation
Researchers interviewed nearly 13,000 women and found that for almost half, their first union was cohabitation rather than marriage. This represents a substantial change from 1995, when marriage was the first union for 39 percent of women, compared to less than 25 percent today.
The percentage of women entering cohabiting relationships as a first union has increased across racial and ethnic groups, with the most significant gains among Hispanic women (a 57% increase), followed by white women (43%) and Black women (39%). Asian women are the only group where cohabitation as a first union has not increased.
Cohabitation and Family Formation
The data also reveals a connection between cohabitation and childbirth. Approximately 19 percent of women became pregnant and gave birth within the first year of a first cohabiting relationship. Within three years of cohabiting, 40 percent of women had married, 32 percent continued to live together, and 27 percent had separated.
Researchers attribute these trends to factors including class, education, and changing perspectives on marriage. Women without a high school diploma are more likely to cohabit as a first union (70%) than those with a bachelor’s degree or higher (47%).
Sociologist Andrew Cherlin of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore noted the emergence of children within cohabiting unions, particularly among the working class and those with lower incomes. He stated, “They have high standards for marriage and they don’t think they can meet them for now, but increasingly, it’s not stopping them from having a child.”
What Might Happen Next
It is possible that cohabitation will continue to gain acceptance as a long-term relationship model, potentially leading to further declines in marriage rates. Alternatively, economic factors or shifts in cultural norms could influence these trends. It is also likely that cohabitation will continue to serve as a testing ground for marriage, with a significant portion of cohabiting couples eventually tying the knot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of first unions are now marriages?
Less than 25 percent of women reported marriage as their first union, a decrease from 39 percent in 1995.
How long do cohabiting relationships typically last?
The median duration of a first cohabiting relationship is 22 months.
Is cohabitation more common among certain education levels?
Yes, 70% of women without a high school diploma cohabited as a first union, compared with 47% of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
As these trends continue to unfold, how might evolving family structures impact social policies and community support systems?
