Marital Intentions and the Stability of First Cohabitations

Using Cycle 6 of the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), this article documents the extent to which cohabitors begin their union with intentions to marry (indicated by either being engaged or having definite plans to marry) and how this is related to subsequent cohabitation transitions, building on earlier literature examining expectations. Almost half of all first cohabitations begin with intentions to marry, and having marital intentions increases the likelihood of marriage and decreases the odds of dissolution. Blacks and Hispanics are more likely to report having marital intentions but less likely to transition to marriage. Prior family experiences also influence having marital intentions and the outcome of the cohabiting union, with significant differences by gender. Results suggest that although many individuals believe their cohabitation is part of the marriage process, gender and race/ethnicity play an important role in whether plans to marry will be realized.