Why Buy The Cow When You Can Get The Milk For Free?

By Jessica Pool

Why Buy the Cow? Quiz

1.  True or False..."Living together improves one's chances for a successful marriage."

· FALSE...Couples who cohabit have higher divorce rates than couples that do not.

- Studies show that couples who live together before marriage have a 50% higher divorce rate than those who do not.

2.  True or False..."If we live together, we'll get married sooner."

· FALSE...Living together delays long-term commitment. - 60% of cohabitating couples NEVER get married

3.  True or False..."Living together is an easy way to 'try out' the relationship before committing to marriage."

· FALSE...While the idea of "test driving" a car before you buy is a good idea, it doesn't apply to marriage. Cohabitating couples often lack a sense of permanence.

4.  True or False..."Sharing finances and expenses will make things easier on our relationship."

· FALSE... Just as for any couple, disputes for those cohabitating often center around money. Couples who live together often have MORE financial issues to resolve than those who do not.

5.  True or False..."My sex life will end when I get married."

· FALSE... The level of sexual satisfaction is LOWER among couples who live together than for married couples. Couples who live together tend to be less faithful to their partners.

6.  True or False..."Living together is best if there are children involved."

· FALSE... The effect of cohabitation on children is significant. Children in cohabitating families are at a higher risk for emotional and social difficulties and also at a greater risk for abuse.

No one wants to suffer the heartache of a broken relationship, whether it is a divorce or the dissolution of a cohabitating situation. While living together has many short-term advantages, it comes at a high long-term cost.

If your goal is to have a stable, healthy and fulfilling relationship, here are some tips:

1. Spend time together - Time is the only dependable test to find out if a couple is compatible. 

2. Learn to communicate - Knowing how to communicate increases your chances of being able to resolve and even prevent conflict.

3. Consider marriage - When the time is right, consider making a lasting commitment through marriage.

Don't give your milk away for free!

The National Marriage Project

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God bless your family and your marriage.

Jim Stephens