Cohabitation: Does It Make for a Better Marriage?

This paper attempts to answer the question: What are the effects of cohabitation on preparation for marriage? More specifically, the purpose of the paper is to: (a) identify the major types of cohabiting relationships; (b) specify the personal characteristics (e.g., interpersonal skill level) and relationship characteristics (e.g., egalitarian relationship) of each cohabiting relationship type; and (c) outline the potential benefits and costs to the individual in each type of cohabiting relationship. Guidelines for counseling potentially cohabiting couples are also provided.