Final answer:
The trend of people who are 50 years old and older and cohabiting is increasing, which aligns with the general rise in cohabitation across all age groups and delays in the age of first-time marriages.
Step-by-step explanation:
When examining the trend of people who are 50 years old and older and cohabiting, the information provided points to an increasing trend in this demographic. This is part of a broader cultural shift where cohabitation has become more common across various age groups, including 25- to 34-year-olds, and is often seen as an alternative or precursor to marriage. The growing acceptance of cohabitation is reflected in the statistics showing a rise in adults living with a partner instead of marrying, which contributes to the delay in marriage and the adjustment of traditional family structures.
For instance, the Pew Research Center found that many people now view marriage as becoming obsolete, and the U.S. Census Bureau data has shown an increasing median age for first-time marriages. Additionally, many couples are choosing to cohabitate to 'work out the kinks' of a relationship, though recent research suggests that this does not have a significant effect on marriage success. The overall trend in living arrangements and marital status highlight that the number of people in non-married partnerships is indeed on the rise.