Genre: Forum

We dont live in the Victorian Age anymore, society no longer adheres to the notion that sex outside marriage is a sin. And if two people want to live together but dont believe in the institution of marriage (why should they) or dont feel they are ready to tie the knot then they should still retain the same rights as those who are married. Being married shouldnt make you a special person. Living with an unmarried partner doesnt make you a lesser person. No, I don't think they should. Why not get married? What is the problem? Not surely the usual excuse of it being too expensive? Rubbish getting married costs as much or as little as you want. It is well known that couples that live together are much more likely to split up than married couples especially once they have a child. I don't have a problem with couples living together to see how they get on - I lived with an ex boyfriend but they should be getting married especially if they want to have children. We have seen a decline in marriage in this country and it has become totally acceptable to have so many single mothers (never married). It surely is no coincidence that we have such problems with young people i.e. drink, drugs, crime etc Here in France couples who do not wish to be married but who wish to commit to a relationship can chose to take a civil contract (called paxt) which gives them the same legal and tax rights as marriage. It seems to work out very well. A marriage is a legally binding contract between the husband and wife, in which they commit to each other as people and in respect of their possessions. A co-habiting couple does not have that contract. It's like running a business on the basis of verbal agreements rather than signed contracts - OK when it goes well, a mess when it does not. Here in France couples who do not wish to be married but who wish to commit to a relationship can chose to take a civil contract (called paxt) which gives them the same legal and tax rights as marriage. It seems to work out very well. That's a good idea. I think there has to be some sort of formal agreement otherwise where does it end? How many nights can you stay at someone's house before you can make a claim on it? Can you have, say, the CD player for a one-night stand? Here in France couples who do not wish to be married but who wish to commit to a relationship can chose to take a civil contract (called paxt) which gives them the same legal and tax rights as marriage. It seems to work out very well. that seems very sensible. why should people have to get married? most of us aint devoutly religious, so the vows before god are meaningless. "It is well known that couples that live together are much more likely to split up than married couples especially once they have a child." is that really true Lynsey? how reliable can any stats be? how many cohabiters claim to seperate to claim more benefits etc? & your current partner must be very trusting letting you live with an EX!! :D" It used to be that if you moved in with someone in the hope of forging a long term relationship it wasn't so that you could stake claim to their property! Some cohabitants don't last long together so why should you try and take that persons home from them if it's theirs to begin with?!!! You moved in to THEIR home! Clue is right there. But of course for those whose property it never was feel hard done by. That is what you call life. You are talking about someones home which they paid for, whose name is on the deeds. Probably lived there several years before you came along and all of sudden you find yourself homeless so you say, "well i'm not having that, i'll take it from them too!" Only married couples should have that worry over their heads (unless you get a prenup of course)." Wow, Melanie Phillips just never stops with her bitter rants does she? How people wanting some more rights equates to a "relentless war against the family" is beyond me. A middle ground is a good idea as suggested below, like a kind of halfway house between a casual arrangement between a couple and full-blown marriage."