Final answer:
The main difference between marriage and cohabitation is legal recognition. Marriage is a legal contract, while cohabitation is not. Changes in societal norms have led to an increase in cohabitation, often as a prelude to or alternative for marriage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The essential difference between marriage and cohabitation is b) Legal recognition. While cohabitation involves a couple living together without being legally married, marriage is a legally recognized social contract traditionally based on a sexual relationship, implying a permanence of the union and recognized by the state. Various factors are influencing the rise of cohabitation over traditional marriage, such as decreased social stigma, the desire for a 'trial run', and prioritizing education or career over immediate 'settling down.'
Furthermore, cohabitation might be seen as a step towards marriage, particularly when couples use living together as a way to test their compatibility before entering into a legally binding union. On the societal level, the patterns of marriage are evolving, with cohabitation contributing to individuals getting married at later ages compared to previous generations. Despite these trends, marriage retains distinct legal and social recognition that cohabitation does not, including rights related to inheritance, tax benefits, and next-of-kin status in medical decisions.