Final answer:
Heterosexual couples commonly meet through mutual friends, work, school, or online platforms, whereas same-sex couples, facing more social barriers, have relied more on online platforms for meetings. Cohabitation before marriage is chosen for testing compatibility and as a commitment step, yet its impact on subsequent marriages is debated. The growing acceptance of same-sex couples, as shown by legal recognitions like Obergefell v. Hodges, challenges past notions of heteronormativity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common way for heterosexual couples to meet varies depending on many factors, including cultural norms and technology. Traditionally, many have met through mutual friends, work, school, or community activities. However, with the advent of the internet, online dating platforms have also become a major meeting ground for couples. As for same-sex couples, while they also meet through the aforementioned means, they have historically utilized online communities and dating platforms more heavily due to social barriers in more traditional meeting spaces. Such platforms offered a safer and more targeted way to connect, especially before the global LGBTQIA+ movement gained momentum and same-sex relationships gained wider social acceptance.
Why are some couples choosing to cohabitate before marriage? The reasons vary but often include testing compatibility, sharing costs of living, and a form of commitment without the legal ties of marriage. The effect of cohabitation on marriage can also vary; studies show that it has become a normative part of the courtship process, but its impact on the success of subsequent marriage is debated among researchers. In some cases, cohabitation has been linked to lower marital satisfaction and higher divorce rates, but in other cases, it serves as a step toward a stronger marriage.