[A Ruckus of Dogs]

This raises a fascinating question, since the U.S. appears still to be on the trailing edge of change. Taking Sweden as the "leader",

Swedes are less inclined to marry in the traditional sense but more inclined to long-term shack-up arrangements (or common law marriages). If people live together for life without officially marrying and raise children that way, then it would be hard for me to deny it's a viable family.

[GraniteStateConservative]

If people live together for life without officially marrying and raise children that way, then it would be hard for me to deny it's a viable family.

Shacking up for a few months before deciding to get married would make marriages and families stronger, too. People don't appreciate what a pain in the ass living with someone can be.