Final answer:
Research suggests that cohabitation has little effect on marriage success, with non-cohabitating couples only slightly more likely to remain married after ten years. Cohabitation is often seen as a step towards marriage and is becoming more socially acceptable.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on recent research, cohabitation has little to no impact on the success of subsequent marriage. Those who do not cohabitate before marriage have slightly better rates of remaining married for more than ten years. Cohabitation has also been associated with delaying marriage, which is now occurring at the highest median ages on record.
Many couples view living together before marriage as a way to "work out the kinks" of a relationship or as a trial run for marriage. In fact, a significant portion of couples do cohabitate before marriage, with the majority transitioning into marriage within three years. The societal view on cohabitation has shifted, with a decrease in stigma and an increase in the number of people who find it acceptable to live together without immediate plans for marriage.