Final answer:
Cohabitating couples in the United States have become more common, with many couples using it as a step towards marriage or as a way to save money. Cohabitation does not significantly affect the success of a marriage, and those who choose not to cohabitate before marriage have slightly better rates of long-term marital stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cohabitating couples in the United States have become more common over the years. Many couples view cohabitation as a trial run for marriage or as a way to spend more time together and save money on living costs. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 28 percent of men and women cohabitated before their first marriage, and the vast majority of cohabitating relationships eventually result in marriage. However, only 15 percent of couples choose to cohabitate without getting married.
Research has shown that cohabitation does not significantly affect the success of a marriage. In fact, those who do not cohabitate before marriage have slightly better rates of remaining married for more than ten years. Cohabitation may also contribute to the increase in the number of men and women who delay marriage, as the median age for marriage in the United States is at its highest recorded level.
In summary, cohabitating couples in the United States are on the rise, with many couples using it as a step towards marriage or as a way to save money. Cohabitation has little effect on the success of a marriage, and those who choose not to cohabitate before marriage have slightly better rates of long-term marital stability.