Much has been said over the years about the link between divorce and cohabitation, but one interesting thing to note is that the divorce rate for most age groups has been declining. The only group with an increasing divorce rate is those who are over 50. But for the younger generations, divorce is getting less common.
There are many reasons for this, such as people waiting longer to get married or young people, in general, obtaining a better education. But one of the reasons is simply the rise of cohabitation.
How it impacts the statistics
Many people will live together before marriage, even doing things like buying homes and having children. They may do this when they’re younger, such as in their 20s, and they’re not sure if they want to get married yet.
In the past, cohabitation was seen as a bit more taboo, so these young couples tended to get married. When their relationships failed, as a certain percentage of relationships will always do, they had to get divorced.
But modern couples simply don’t have to. This isn’t to say that cohabitation relationships aren’t failing at the same rate as marriages. But a couple who lives together and breaks up hasn’t added anything to the divorce statistics, whereas they may have for previous generations.
You may still have legal complications
One thing to remember is that you may still have legal considerations even if you were never married, such as sharing custody of a child. You may also own certain assets that still need to be divided between the two of you. Be sure you understand all of your rights.