Partner Choice in Marriages and Cohabitations

Abstract

This paper examines the extent to which cohabitation resembles marriage by comparing patterns of partner choice in the formation of married and cohabiting couples....On the assumption that cohabitations are not informal marriages but relationships formed by a looser bond we use exchange theory to predict differences in partner choice. Since cohabitations are less permanent than marriages we hypothesize that choices of a cohabitation partner give greater weight than choices of a marriage partner to achieved characteristics (such as education) which can reflect a short-term ability to contribute to the relationship. In turn we expect that choices of a cohabitation partner give less weight to ascribed characteristics (such as age race and religion) that reflect long-term considerations. That study hypothesis is tested using propensities to marry and to cohabit calculated from the [U.S.] National Survey of Families and Households. (EXCERPT)