Relationship experts Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle discuss the negative effects of cohabitation on relationships, emphasizing that couples who do not live together before marriage are more likely to have happy marriages. They also provide insights on how to talk with cohabitating couples and encourage them towards a different path. The podcast highlights the importance of small group discipleship, biblical perspectives on marriage, fidelity, and the role of marriage preparation in evangelizing the culture.
Couples who do not live together prior to marriage are more likely to have happy marriages.
Cohabitation before marriage increases the risk of divorce and domestic violence, and does not prepare couples for marriage.
Deep dives
Importance of Abstinence Before Marriage
Cohabitation before marriage is a prevalent trend, but it is essential for couples to understand the importance of abstinence and refrain from sexual relations before marriage. This commitment fosters love for the Eucharist and builds a foundation of self-control and virtue. It also allows couples to experience the thrill and anticipation of intimacy within the context of Christian marriage.
The Four Goods of Marriage
The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is permanent, a lifelong commitment. It is a partnership of mutual support and fidelity, and it is ordered towards procreation and raising children. Understanding these goods of marriage helps couples recognize the sacredness and weight of the marital commitment, and it encourages them to approach marriage with reverence and intentional preparation.
The Risks of Cohabitation
Studies show that cohabitation before marriage increases the risk of divorce and domestic violence. Couples who live together without being married often experience lower levels of happiness and commitment. Furthermore, the perception that cohabitation prepares couples for marriage is not supported by evidence. The Catholic Church advocates for the importance of honoring the sacredness of marriage and refraining from cohabitation.
Pastoral Guidance for Cohabitating Couples
When working with couples who are cohabitating, it is necessary to provide guidance and support while emphasizing the significance of marriage. Clergy members can encourage couples to abstain from sexual relations until marriage and offer ongoing discipleship and counseling. The Church's teachings on contraception, pornography, and the Sacrament of Matrimony should also be communicated to help couples fully understand and embrace Christian marriage.
Moving in together is a common “step” that many couples see as necessary and normal in a relationship. Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle discuss why cohabitation can have such negative effects on a relationship. They also share how to talk with a couple who is cohabitating and how to encourage them towards something different.
Snippet from the Show
Couples who do not live together prior to marriage are more likely to have happy marriages.