Data Collection from people on whether they agree with my myth

Chapter 8: Marriages and Cohabitation

Chapter 8: Marriages and Cohabitation of provides extensive research on the ideas of Marriages and

cohabitation both from the past to present. This presentation is on the myth ‘All marriages end in divorce’.

To better understand the myth and how true it is, it is better to look at the marriage and divorce rates on the

selected population size.

Sample size

I conducted a descriptive study of 20 participants married between the year 1966 to 2016 in Texas. Data was

collected using semi-structured questionnaires and data analysis conducted using SPSS. The participants were

asked questions about the number of times they have been married and the year of their marriage, separation,

divorce, and widowhood for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd marriages. Out of this population, 13 have experienced divorce.

8 divorced from their first marriage while 3 on their second marriage. Only two were divorced from their third

marriage. 7 participants, therefore, have never divorced. On average, those that have never divorced have been

in their marriage for 14 years.

In overall, out of the thirteen ever divorced, there were 8 ladies and 5 men who cited that their breakdown

arose from growing apart, unfaithfulness/ adultery and lack of respect and appreciation. Two women cited

domestic violence.

Out of the 20 participants, 7 admitted having cohabited with their partner before their marriage. Only two of

the seven ended up divorcing from their marriage while the other five are still in their first marriage.

Present finding in a table or graph

Distribution of the Marriage Status from 20 Participants

Divorce from 1st Marriage 8

Divorce from 2nd Marriage 3
Divorce 3rd Marriage 2
Never Divorced 7
Cohabited before marriage and never divorced 5
Never cohabited but married and never divorced 2
Cohabited before marriage and divorced 4
Never cohabited but married and divorced 7
Research on the reality of the Myth (Use at least 2 sources)

Statistics show that both marriage and divorce rate are declining. The fact that most people are taking longer

to marry is the leading driver to decline in both the marriage and divorce rate in the US. According to **, the

marriage rate is 6.8 per 1000 total population. The divorce rate, on the other hand, is 3.2 per 1000 total

population. Also, relatively less than fifty percent of the marriages will end up in divorce or in separation.

About 41 percent of first marriages end up in divorce while sixty percent of second marriage end in divorce.

Divorce is considered problematic if children are involved and will affect them and if it will affect the quality

of life. Most people avoid divorce due to economic reasons while others for the sake of the children.

According to ***, a lot of changes in the last century has impacted marriage and divorce rates. Increase in

women labor force participation, fight for women rights and the sexual revolution has altered the perception of

gender roles within marriage for the last 50 years. Culture and diversity have led to the embracing of such

things as cohabitation. With a decrease in stigma associated with divorce have contributed to increasing divorce

rates.

A study conducted by indicates that tho who cohabitate before marriage have 46 to 80percent of divorce

when they finally mary. According to***, a couple that chooses to cohabit are generally less committed to the

institution of marriage and may have a more liberal attitude and idea about divorce. This means that such

people have a greater willingness to dissolve their marriage when it no longer making them happy. Another

finding is that cohabiting partners may be forced into marriage, an idea that leads to unstable marriages.

Partners that cohabitate also are said to be financially irresponsible and have difficulties holding a job.

Marriage is a symbolic status that indicates the seriousness of the couple and emotional value. Besides,

marriage with tangible benefits and protection of the parties involved. In the recent decade, cohabitation has

been widely embraced. In this case, the couple is living together as a sexual or romantic partner yet they are not

married. These trends have changed the pathway to marriage and the experience of marriage itself. According

to **, cohabitation provides grounds for knowing your partner and a chance to experience how it is like living

with your partner without legal public or religious commitment. This means one can weed out a partner that

they are not compatible with before entering into a commitment. Cohabitation also provides a pathway for a
new family after a divorce or becoming widowed. Those who cohabited have ore experience of coping and

adjusting to an array of situations that arise in marriages.

The research results indicate that not all marriages end up in divorce. The reality of the myth is that there are

marriages that actually survive and are only separated with the death of a partner. Also, the divorce rate is not

sixty-five percent but relatively lower than fifty percent.

Also, those who cohabited before going into marriage have a reduced chance of their marriage ending in

divorce.

the reason could be; the partner is aware of their significant other more thus are more are of what they expect. It

is this preparation that makes them strong and able to handle a hard time when in their marriage.

Contrast and Compare the findings

Whether it is cohabitation or marriage, the reasons for the dissolution of a partnership is growing apart,

arguments, adultery or in faithfulness, lack of respect, financial problems and not having anything in common.

It is clear that my myth is incorrect as not all marriages end up in divorce. The finding from the 20 participants

indicates that sixty-five of the marriages end up in divorce. However, studies by *** and *** indicate that about

fifty percent of the marriages are the one likely to end up in divorce. The difference in statistics can be

explained by the use of a small sample size. Both studies, however, agree that unfaithfulness and growing part

is one of the leading cause of divorce or dissolution of the partnership in case of cohabitation.

The differences in the idea of cohabiting before marriage and whether it helps to avoid divorce continue to

arise. However, there is limited literature on the same. Further research on the topic is recommended.

Summary of the overall project

People pursue marriage for various reasons including emotional support, security in the sense that one would

not be lonely when they get old, for support and success among others. Marriage and cohabitation were been

encamped with a lot of myth. To prove whether all marriages end in divorce, a descriptive study on 20

participants married between the year 1966 to 2016 was conducted. Out of this population, 13 have experienced

divorce. 8 divorced from their first marriage while 3 on their second marriage. Only two were divorced from

their third marriage. 7 participants, therefore, have never divorced. The reality of the myth is that not all

marriages end up in divorce. Also, the divorce rate is not sixty-five percent but relatively lower than fifty

percent.