Marriage-Lite

Cohabitation has become increasingly popular, replacing marriage for most young people as the first type of relationship they will enter into. Politicians and pundits often treat cohabitation and marriage as essentially the same, with marriage dismissed as no more than a 'piece of paper'. In this thorough review of the research findings, Patricia Morgan shows that marriage and cohabitation are essentially different, and one does not necessarily lead to the other. Cohabiting relationships are fragile and often short-lived, always more likely to break up than marriages entered into at the same time, and regardless of age or income levels. Cohabitations with children are even more vulnerable than childless ones. Cohabitants tend to behave more like single than married people in terms of fidelity to their partners, substance abuse and other health-related behaviours. The risk of violent and abusive behaviour is greater. Patricia Morgan argues that marriage is a declaration of commitment which has public as well as private consequences, and deserves support. It offers benefits not only to the couples themselves but to society as a whole.
"Research showing the pitfalls of cohabitation and the benefits of marriage is being withheld by an army of 'politically correct gatekeepers' that includes the Government and family charities, according to a report." The Times. "Patricia Morgan is the most penetrating writer on family break-up of our times, and perhaps the only person in Britain who understands how the social security system works." The Daily Telegraph. "Couples who live together without getting married are more abusive, unfaithful and unhealthy than married people, according to a new report." The Sunday Telegraph. "Marriage-Lite...aims to warn these cohabiting couples that they are running serious risks that do not affect married people - or, at least, that affect them less." The New Statesman. "Dr Morgan accuses the government of refusing to back marriage despite the compelling evidence of its benefits." The Daily Mail.