Cohabiting Couples: A Closer Look at Interracial Relationships

What is the likelihood of interracial relationships among cohabiting couples compared to married couples?

Is cohabitation often seen as a precursor to marriage? Why do some individuals choose to cohabitate before getting married?

Likelihood of Interracial Relationships

Cohabiting couples are TWICE as likely as marrieds to be interracial.

View on Cohabitation

Adults who live together often view it as a first step toward marriage. The majority of married individuals (66%) who cohabitated with their partner before getting hitched (and who were not yet engaged when they did so) claim they did so because they considered it as a step toward marriage at the time.

Interracial relationships among cohabiting couples are more common compared to married couples. This could be attributed to the fact that cohabitation is often seen as a stage in a relationship where couples are testing the waters before committing to marriage.

For many individuals, cohabitation serves as a way to understand compatibility, communication dynamics, and shared responsibilities before deciding to tie the knot. It provides a way for couples to experience the challenges and joys of living together without the legal commitment of marriage.

While some people may choose to cohabitate as a way to explore their relationship without the pressures of marriage, others see it as a stepping stone toward a more permanent union. This can be seen in the majority of married individuals who cohabitated before getting married, indicating that they viewed cohabitation as a precursor to marriage.