Final answer:
Some factors leading to the end of cohabiting unions include less societal support, weaker legal ties, and varying commitment levels. Cohabitation before marriage does not significantly affect marriage success and correlates with later ages of first marriage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Factors that might increase the likelihood of a cohabiting union ending include less social support for cohabitation compared to marriage, the absence of legal bonds that might encourage couples to resolve issues, and potentially different levels of commitment between partners. Some research suggests that those who do not cohabitate before marriage have slightly better rates of remaining married for more than ten years. Furthermore, the increase in cohabitation has been paralleled by a delay in marriage, with more people prioritizing education and career over 'settling down.'