Interesting statistics on marriage and cohabitation in the US

Jeff Short on August 4, 2020

At some point in their younger years, nearly everyone imagines themselves in a happy marriage with children. Maybe they want to model their parents, maybe they want to model other families they see. However, those attitudes often change on the way to adulthood and for some time after. 

It’s becoming increasingly common and accepted for non-married couples to live together. Some cohabitating partners even decide that marriage isn’t necessary in a loving relationship. As the idea of the nuclear family continues to crumble, here are some interesting statistics on marriage and cohabitation in the U.S. 

More Adults are Cohabiting 

Of those ranging in age from 18 to 44, 59% have lived unmarried with a partner at some point in their lives while half of them have never been married. Another 38% of that 59% have lived with various partners. 

Compared to the previous census, those who have been married at some point are on the decline. It’s more common now for couples to skip the wedding bells and simply enjoy cohabitation. That doesn’t mean marriages are ending, but attitudes towards it are changing. 

Cohabitation Acceptance

As attitudes towards marriage change, so do opinions on cohabitation. Only 14% of Americans think cohabitation before marriage is unacceptable, compared to 69% who think it’s perfectly okay. Another 16% are fine with it so long as the couple plans to marry. 

Younger adults are more likely to have a positive opinion on cohabitation. Roughly 78% of those under 30 think it’s fine, while only 63% of those 65 and older are on board. Overall attitudes still support marriage, however, with 53% of Americans seeing benefits in long-term couples who eventually tie the knot. 

There’s More Trust in Marriage

It isn’t uncommon for relationships that come to a grinding halt to experience legal trouble, like relying on this Stange Law Firm child custody attorney in Bloomington. Trust is often at the crux of a relationship on the rails. So, who is better off in the long run?

As it turns out, Americans are more trusting when they’re in a marriage instead of cohabitating. The numbers are 53% to 41%, which isn’t an incredibly large gap. Satisfaction and communication skills, on average, are also higher for those with wedding bands. 

The Money Factor

For many cohabitating couples, especially in a down economy, living together simply makes the most financial sense. Roughly four-in-ten adults admit to this, with 38% citing finances and another 37% citing convenience as the primary reason behind their cohabitation. 

Most cohabitators who are not engaged also cited money as the reason behind delaying marriage or removing it from the table altogether. Either money is tight, they are unsure if their partner is financially ready, or they don’t believe they are financially ready themselves. 

Legal Rights

Roughly 65% of adults think cohabitators should be able to enter legal agreements that give them the same rights as married couples. Conservatives are nearly evenly split on the debate, while 77% of liberal-minded voters are in favor. 

Should this agreement ever come to pass, it has the potential to greatly add couples financially. There would also be more rights in court, especially when dealing with a family lawyer in OC over custody. As of now, there are no motions or bills in the works. 

Love Rules All

Love and companionship remain the primary motivators behind any partnership. Of the married, 90% said love was the primary factor while 66% said companionship. For those cohabitating, the numbers were 73% and 61%. 

7 Tips For Co-Parenting During The Coronavirus Quarantine

Jeff Short on April 29, 2020

Co-Parenting is difficult enough on its own. As Dorie Rogers, an experienced divorce attorney in Orange County points out, there’s a long list of do’s and don’ts to follow if you want to pull it off right and provide the best environment possible for your child.

Now, with the added stress of the coronavirus pandemic and quarantine, questions abound about how to successfully navigate parental responsibilities and custody agreements with an ex-partner while also limiting contact and following quarantine orders.

It’s a tricky balance, but there are some tips that will help you navigate the situation. The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), in conjunction with American Academy Of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), have released their Seven Guidelines for Parents Who Are Divorce/Separated and Sharing Custody of Children During the COVID19 Pandemic. Here’s what you should take to heart.

Be Healthy

You should take care to keep yourself healthy, and set a positive example for your children to do the same. Wash your hands, wipe down surfaces, social distance, and stay up-to-date with the CDC’s guidelines and what’s going on with the outside world.

Be Mindful

The pandemic is serious business, and you should treat it as such. On the flipside, though, you’ll want to be mindful of your children, and stay strong to help them cope. Stay calm, field whatever questions they might have, and reassure them that, although things are abnormal now, normality will return at some point down the line.

Be Compliant

This tip is in reference to any court orders custody agreements. Even with quarantine in effect and schools closed, you’ll want to maintain adherence to what the courts have mandated as closely as possible.

Be Creative

When it comes to following those court orders, though, you’ll have to get creative in some instances. Life has changed, and you’ll have to roll with those changes in a reasonable way to maintain safety. Plans may get disrupted, but you can help maintain closeness by utilizing online chat programs like Skype and FaceTime.

Be Transparent

Communication is key to maintaining good relationships, and that’s doubly so during this pandemic. Be honest if you think you or your child has been exposed to the virus, and work with your parenting partner to take steps to mitigate harm.

Be Generous

Even in the best of times, kindness goes a long way. It’ll go even further in the unique circumstances of quarantine, as making accommodations for your co-parent and being flexible whenever possible will help take stress off of you both.

Be Understanding

As an extension to the point above, you’ve got to be understanding of the trials that quarantine has placed on everyone. The economic impacts, for instance, have made it difficult for some to earn money, so both recipients and payers of child support should recognize this, realizing it is a temporary circumstance and working together to best provide for their children.