Episode 85: Should We Move In Together Before Marriage?

Apr 19, 2022

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For decades, social scientists warned that living together before marriage increased the odds of later divorce. However, this runs contrary to conventional wisdom. In fact, most American adults today think that cohabiting first should actually strengthen marriages by serving as a compatibility test. So what’s the deal? Is living together before marriage a good or bad idea? Let’s explore what the science really says and discuss practical tips and considerations for partners looking to move in together.

I am joined by Dr. Arielle Kuperberg, an Associate Professor of Sociology and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Arielle has studied cohabitation and its effects extensively and is here to help us settle the popular debate. Some of the topics we explore include:

How many people today live together before marriage, and how this trend has changed over time.
Why cohabitation and divorce are linked, and how the association between them has changed.
Why the age at which you get married is a key factor in predicting divorce.
How people who cohabit before marriage differ from those who move directly into marriage.
How to know when it’s the right time to move in together.
How to set yourself up for cohabiting success.

Check it out! To learn more about Arielle, follow her on Twitter @ATKuperberg and visit her website here.

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Credits: Jonathan Raz (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest and HiveBoxx on Unsplash.