Final answer:
Unwed couples face a range of potential relationship challenges, most notably financial stress. Relationships may also be affected by cohabitation habits and the presence of blended families. Despite these pressures, many people continue to value a strong, lifelong marriage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The long-term relationship prospects for unwed couples as profiled in Promises to Keep and Doing the Best I Can could be varied given the complexities of modern relationships. However, some of the most common causes of relationship failures are financial stress and mismatched expectations regarding marriage and cohabitation. A lack of a strong asset base like a home, savings, and retirement plan can contribute significantly to marital strife, making divorce more likely. Researchers from the University of Virginia's National Marriage Project indicate that couples with less than $10,000 in assets are 70 percent more likely to be divorced after three years than those who have a stronger financial foundation. This suggests that relationships, whether in wedlock or not, may struggle when under economic pressure, which often correlates with factors such as age and education level.
Cohabitation before marriage has become more common, with some couples choosing this path as a step towards marriage or as an alternative to formal marriage. Cohabitation can have different effects on marriage, and its impact may vary among couples based on individual values and societal norms. Yet, despite the changing dynamics and the challenges faced by couples, empirical evidence shows that the aspiration for a strong marriage and family life remains significant among young people, with many still valuing the idea of a lifelong marriage. Additionally, contemporary relationships still grapple with issues such as violence, abuse, and the complexities brought on by blended families.