Long term cohabitation

[Dave]

Much is made by liberal social commentators of "long-term committed relationships", suggesting that they are now the norm, and that marriage itself brings few benefits, especially in terms of stability.

So here's a poll to test your general knowledge! What proportion of couples who stick together till their children are 15 are unmarried?

[Raymond]

I've voted but I don't really have a clue. Only guessing. I've got a feeling the partner arrangements as opposed to married will come of worse. We shall see.

Raymond

[Dave]

Many thanks to all those who voted.

The answer is 3%! Yes, by age 16, if a child's parents are still together 97% will be married, and just 3% will be in a "long term cohabitation" relationship.

People who stay together still value, and benefit from, making the solemn commitment that marriage entails.

Dave

[Raymond]

Wow thats incredible Dave! I didn't think it would be that in my wildest imagination. I have spoken about this to people and they always manage to point to a couple that are still together even though they are not married. Probably among the 3%. It's rather like justifying smoking by picking the one who get past eighty and ignoring the others.

Unfortunately my parents never made it to my six month birthday without seperating.

Raymond