BLOG POST ASSIGNMENT 5

1) Describe two of the examples of types of singles. Why are more people single today?
One example of a type of singles is the voluntary stable singles who have never been married and are satisfied with that decision. More people are single today because they would like to be independent  and more people are choosing to raise children and cohabitating without being officially married. Another type of singles the voluntary temporary singles. These people are open to marriage but put other things such as their career first before marriage. 

2) Briefly describe the trend in cohabitation from 1969 to 2008 according to the Figure 9.5 "Cohabiting Couples in the United Sates" on page 246.
As shown in figure 9.5 cohabitation throughout couples in the united states have noticeably increased from 1960-2010. In 1960 there was only a number or .4 million people cohabitating and in 2010 the number increased to 6.4 million.

3) According to your textbook, there are four types of cohabitation. Please list and describe two of these using your own words.
Two of the four types of cohabitation are Dating Cohabitation and Premarital Cohabitation. Dating Cohabitation is when people who spend a large amount of time together eventually to take the step of moving in together. Premarital Cohabitation is the stage in time when a couple is between a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship and getting married. This step is to see if the couple could last with living together.

3) Would you consider cohabitation? Why or why not? If you would consider cohabiting, which of these meanings coincides with how you might view your own cohabiting relationship?
I would consider premarital cohabitation because I think it would be important and helpful to my relationship to see if I am able to comfortably and happily live with my partner. It will also give me a chance to know my partner on another level and learn more about him. These would help me to view my relationship in a new way.

4) After reading the section on Some Benefits and Costs of Cohabitation, and going over the Powerpoint slides, list 2 costs and 2 benefits.
2 Costs of cohabitation are that some partners experience a loss of identity or a feeling of being trapped.
They could feel trapped if their partner is criticizing and getting angry with them for leaving them to hang out with their friends instead, and another is cohabiting women tend to do more of the house work such as cooking and cleaning more than a married woman would. Contrary to costs there are many benefits. 2 benefits are that couples will have emotional security of an intimate relatioship but can also maintain their independence, and another benefit is that partners can end their relationships without legal problems and can leave an abusive easier.

5) Do you believe that cohabiting heterosexual couples should have the same rights as married couples? Why or why not? What if the couple are the same-sex and cannot marry in their state, should they receive the same benefits of married people. Why or why not?
I believe that cohabiting heterosexual couples should have the same rights as married couples because although they do not have a certification of marriage they are still living basically the same way as married couples. Also I believe that same-sex couples should receive the same benefits. There is no reason why same-sex couples should be discriminated against, because their marriage has no affect on anyone else's lives except for maybe their own families.