Cohabitation popular with college students

The Digital Collegian (Penn State) ^ | Thursday, January 23, 2003 | Camille Lamb

[madprof98]

Sometimes I wonder if the pendulum is really swinging back toward social conservatism. On one hand, young people today say they place a greater value on marriage and family life than their peers did in the recent past. But their behavior reflects the pernicious effects of the Sexual Revolution that did so much to undermine our familes and make life harder for our children.

The values that lead people to say it's OK to shack up--and to "move on" when the shacking gets tough--don't just disappear when marriage vows are uttered. In my own 25 years of college teaching, I noticed that most of my own students chose cohabitation over marriage, and few of the marriages they eventually did enter have endured. The victims tend to be small and helpless. The trend is getting worse; look how many people here defend it.

[Artist]

"The trend is getting worse; look how many people here defend it."

Absolutely. I've always been amazed at the number of people, here on a conservative forum, that are shacked-up.

[NittanyLion]

I've always been amazed at the number of people, here on a conservative forum, that are shacked-up.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, "shacked-up" needs to be defined a bit closer. If you're talking about meeting someone and immediately moving into their place, then I agree. If you're talking about moving together after engagement, I think that's a different story.

Incidentally, there's more to conservatism than the social aspect. Many folks here are primarily fiscal conservatives...

[Sirloin]

Many folks here are primarily fiscal conservatives...

Agreed. Fiscal conservatism is smart idea, IMO, but I want to enjoy my life too much to buy into social conservatism. Social conservatives always seem perpetually angry for some reason or another (again, IMO).

My wife and I dated for six months, moved in with each other for 4 years, and then got married. That was five years ago, and we're completely happy. We both decided that we didn't want to make the same mistakes our parents did (who both got divorced) and so we see our marriage as a permanent arrangement. Sure, sometimes things get tough, but the good parts far outweigh the bad.

[Rebelbase]

"It should be noted that women file about 90% of the divorces in this country"


Damn...I make into the top 10% of something nationwide, and its nothing I can brag about......sheesh.

[sneakypete]

Here are some more news flashes:

Thirsty men like beer!

Hungry people want food!

The Clintons are evil!

[sneakypete]

Of course, things DO get a little awkward when one tries to bring a date back to the apartment.

Not if you're lucky.

[sneakypete]

Absolutely. I've always been amazed at the number of people, here on a conservative forum, that are shacked-up.

I'm always shocked at the number of people who think they are conservatives,and that it has anything to do with sex or other lifestyle issues. It is a political stance that has to do with limiting the power of government and maximizing the freedom of the individual citizen.

[sneakypete]

Social conservatives always seem perpetually angry for some reason or another (again, IMO).

That's because they have the sneakying suspiscion that somebody,somewhere is having a good time and getting laid.

[Artist]

"If you're talking about moving together after engagement, I think that's a different story."

I don't, unless the couple isn't having sex. Sex before marriage is the real issue here, and it's clear that most people on this thread think that that's no big deal. I disagree.

[paltz]

I think it's all about the divorce culture we've become. Whoever is the breadwinner knows half their money is at stake should the marriage not work out. However co-habitating brings along it's own issues as well like lack of committment on oneside of the relationship while playing house.

[Issaquahking]

Reminds me of an AC/DC song "Dirty deeds done dirt cheap".

[NittanyLion]

I don't, unless the couple isn't having sex. Sex before marriage is the real issue here, and it's clear that most people on this thread think that that's no big deal. I disagree.

Fair enough. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

Regards.

[NittanyLion]

It is a political stance that has to do with limiting the power of government and maximizing the freedom of the individual citizen.

Well said.

[Artist]

Thanks for being so civil NittanyLion. I usually get all sorts of stuff hurled my way in a discussion like this.

This has been a nice change of pace.

Regards,

[NittanyLion]

My pleasure, and thank YOU for civility as well. I understand completely why you feel the way you do, and I suspect we both have similar values (with a few differences, perhaps).