Final answer:
To predict if cohabitating couple Jamal and Jennifer will marry and stay together, ask if they are already almost engaged and living together with an intention to marry. Cohabitation is often seen as a prelude to marriage, but its impact on marriage longevity is minimal, and it frequently corresponds to delayed marriage.
Step-by-step explanation:
To best predict whether Jamal and Jennifer are likely to end up marrying and staying together after cohabitating, one might inquire about their intentions regarding marriage. Considering the various reasons couples might live together, the most telling would be whether they are doing so with the future intention to marry, essentially as an almost-engaged couple seeking to understand their compatibility. Studies suggest that while many view cohabitation as a step towards marriage, the overall impact of living together before marriage on the longevity of a marriage is minimal. However, cohabitation is a trend that is increasing partly due to a lower social stigma and can also contribute to the delay of marriage, with couples often prioritizing education and career over early 'settling down'. Approximately half of cohabitating couples transition into marriage within three years, indicating that for many, cohabitation is a prelude to marriage rather than an alternative.