Topic > Societal Views and Expectations on Marriage and Unmarried Cohabitation

IntroductionThe fundamental unit of any society is the family, and families are created in various ways, for example through marriage, the "how- we-stay" and cohabitation, among others. Marriage refers to the formal or legal recognition of the union of two people as same-sex or opposite-sex partners. Marriage is associated with benefits such as companionship, marital benefits, sharing of burdens and responsibilities, among others. Cohabitation, on the other hand, refers to the state in which two people of the same or opposite sex live together and have a sexual relationship without being married. Society is complex and various practices and cultures have emerged to help deal with life's challenges. Society is governed by morality and laws, which regulate the conduct of people within the community to promote harmonious and peaceful coexistence. Arguments for Two Single Elderly People Living Together It is human nature to seek companionship from either a loved one or a friend. Companionship allows more people to be able to take care of each other and satisfy their needs, whatever they may be. The company promotes the values ​​of love and respect and does not require marriage to formalize such a union. Furthermore, the company promotes safety, peace, unity and understanding. Two elderly and unmarried people who live together derive numerous advantages from the relationship without having to formalize the relationship, such as not losing their personal social security pension and avoiding the quibbles linked to marriage. The main benefit associated with cohabitation of elderly people is to avoid the financial burdens related to marriages, avoiding risking social benefits related to individuals and family dramas, among others. Marriage is an expensive legal process designed to formalize the union of two people (Strong, Bryan, & Theodore, 2013). Cohabitation helps prevent such challenges, as you can enjoy your partner's company without undue pressure. Cohabitation involves living together without legal recognition, while marriage is a legal union, requiring divorce or annulment to end the relationship. Arguments against two unmarried elders living together Morals govern society. Morality provides people with the ability to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong. Two unmarried elders living together set a bad example for the younger generation, who look to the elders for guidance. Young generations must be anchored in family values ​​(Strong, Bryan, & Theodore, 2013) and the benefits of marriage and not cohabitation. Cohabitation is associated with instability since the relationship is normally short-term compared to marital relationships and is not recognized by the state, thus cannot enjoy marital tax deduction, inheritance benefits and health insurance benefits, among others things. The society includes several religious groups, namely Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, among others. Different religions teach family values ​​and the importance of marriage. Several verses in the Bible talk about the importance of marriage and the responsibilities of husbands and wives to each other. Not committing adultery is the third commandment that promotes the values ​​of respect for the sanctity of marriage. Conclusion Both marriage and cohabitation promote companionship. Companionship helps in sharing the burdens and responsibilities between the people in the relationship and enjoying the benefits associated with the relationship. Being sociable is human nature and morals are there to guide us in making better decisions about our lives.