Cohabitation in Europe: a revenge of history?

Abstract

Unmarried cohabitation is often seen as a radically 'new' phenomenon, originating in the 1960s, but in fact it has long historical antecedents. The question is, however, whether traditional and modern cohabitation are comparable and whether we can speak of persistence. This article offers a literature review on cohabitation in Europe, with the focus on persistence over time, integrating the results of a 2013 conference on this topic. What sources are available to confirm or reject such persistence? How should we understand persistence? In terms of the motivations of unmarried cohabitants? Or in terms of the acceptance of the community at large? And if no real persistence is found, does this mean that European cohabitation since the 1970s truly represents 'new' behaviour? We show that, on the regional level, the legacy of the past is still visible in factors affecting the timing and frequency of marriage of cohabiting couples. These factors are a mixture of regional socio-economic constraints, the relative cultural importance attached to marriage, the religious history, and the level of secularization.

Not a single meaning: Definition and evolution of singlehood in France and the United States

“…Indeed, nonmarital relationships are not new. In Europe, cohabitation existed as family form well before the second demographic transition (Kok & Leinarte, 2015; Lesthaeghe & Van de Kaa, 1986) and, prior to this period, a significant proportion of “never married” individuals were, in fact, not “single.” A study carried out by Brée shows that in Paris, in the interwar period, 15% of never‐married women and 20% of never‐married men were in fact not single but cohabiting, levels being much higher in working class areas (Brée, in press). In the 19th century and the first part of the 20th century, cohabitation was indeed quite common in cities in France, especially among the lower social classes.…”

Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Household Position and Health in Twelve European Countries: Are They Associated with the Value Climate?

“…Marriage is perceived as a higher level of commitment and cohabitation is perceived as a testing period which is subordinated to the marriage ideal (Perelli-Harris et al 2014). There are very different trajectories between cohabitation, marriage, and childbirth in the different European countries (Kok and Leinarte 2016) and thus far there appears to be no convergence of European life courses (Billari and Wilson 2001).…”

Contested conjugality? Sinhalese marriage practices in eighteenth-century Dutch colonial Sri Lanka

“…The older, more informal, practices of mutual marriage promises, either in private or in the form of a public betrothal, were no longer valid in The Netherlands (in contrast to several other European countries). Unmarried cohabitation was considered a criminal offense, for which one could be banished for up to twelve years (see Kok and Leinarte, 2015). The clear demarcation of marriage also implies clear definitions of illegitimacy: all children not born or conceived during marriage, are illegitimate.…”