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Abstract
Objective: We assess Cherlin's deinstitutionalization of marriage thesis by examining the meaning couples ascribe to their cohabiting unions, how this differs between partners and by social class, and over the relationship life course.
Background: Cohabitation is often portrayed as a precursor to marriage. Declining shares of cohabitations that transition into marriage challenge this presumption.
Method: Data are from in-depth interviews conducted with a class-diverse sample of 61 different-gender cohabiting couples (n = 122 individuals). We utilize open, axial, and selective coding to analyze our data.
Results: Cohabitation initially serves largely as a form of intensive dating, though over time many respondents described relationships that intensified to a trial for or a precursor to marriage. Maturation, relative comparisons with others' life course transitions, parenthood desires, and conforming to societal expectations abetted intensification, whereas discord-about domestic and fiscal responsibilities, sex, and life goals-and domestic abuse led to de-escalation, with many in this category "waiting to break up." Relationship intensification among the middle-class highlighted continued adherence to the hegemony of marriage, supporting Cherlin's thesis about developmental change. Less advantaged cohabitors more often viewed cohabitation and marriage as equivalent, supporting transformational change. Gendered enactments both challenged and supported existing institutional norms.
Conclusion: In the early 21st century, cohabitation is part of the developmental change reshaping marriage among the middle-class, but plays a more transformational role among the less advantaged, where the institution's hold has weakened.
KEYWORDS
cohabitation, deinstitutionalization, gender, marriage, relationship processes, social class
INTRODUCTION
Cohabitation is now a normative part of the courtship process for American adults (Manning, 2020; Sassler & Miller, 2017). Yet scholars frequently question what role cohabitation plays in the constellation of marriage and family building activities. There are few clear norms regarding how cohabitation unfolds or what is expected of those who live together. In some ways, cohabitors' behaviors reify traditional coupled enactments-gendered performances regarding initiation of relationships and proposals remain the norm (Lamont, 2020; Sassler & Miller, 2011, 2017). In other ways, however, cohabitation is more loosely institutionalized than marriage (Cherlin, 2004; Sassler & Miller, 2017). Can it, then, contribute to the re-institutionalization of marriage?
When it first emerged as a research topic, scholars in the United States often portrayed cohabitation as a precursor to marriage (Brown, 2000; Bumpass et al.,...