Cohabitation Patterns Research Articles

First Birth in Russia: Everyone does It - Young

Until the early 1990s, the common characteristics of Russian fertility were early and almost universal marriage and childbearing. In this article I examine the impact of cohort on first birth. I follow Russian women (based on self-reported ethnicity) born between 1930 and 1986 by applying event history techniques to the Russian Generation and Gender Survey (GSS). The results show that first birth took place earlier in womens lives cohorts born from the 1930s to the 1960s cohort. Among younger women, the trend is opposite, but it is too early to speak of a strong postponement effect. Differences in first-birth risk between cohorts are due to differences in marriage and cohabitation patterns.

Introduction: reinventing the welfare state

European welfare states are under pressure due to aging, skill-biased technological change, globalisation and increasing heterogeneity (migration, work and cohabitation patterns). Indeed, the demand for public spending on pensioners and education increases, redistribution toward low skilled workers rises and taxation and income redistribution are becoming more distortionary as individuals can more easily adapt their behaviour to government policies. At the same time, welfare states are increasingly blamed for sustained inactivity among benefit recipients, elderly workers, lowskilled individuals, and women. In light of these developments and trends, the Network for Studies on Pensions, Aging and Retirement (Netspar), CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis and the Dutch Social Economic Council organised a conference on ‘Reinventing the Welfare State’, from which this special issue contains five papers. The first paper explores how globalisation interacts with European welfare states. The next two papers deal with the relationship between current welfare state designs in Europe and their economic outcomes, with an emphasis on the Scandinavian countries. The final two papers analyse specific options for welfare state reform.

Informal Unions in Mexico and the United States

The dramatic rise in cohabitation in the United States and other Western industrial societies signals a major shift in the way couples form sexual partnerships. In many Latin American countries, however, there is a long tradition of couples living in relationships without formal legal sanction. To address these differences, this study compares recent trends and patterns of sexual union formation in Mexico and the U.S. In contrast to marriage, cohabitation patterns in the U.S. and Mexico originate from different starting points. Informal or cohabiting unions in Mexico began with a history of informal, common law marriages. In contrast, in the U.S. cohabitation began in the late 60s and early 70s outside the mainstream of social behavior. Currently, cohabitation is more common in the U.S. than in Mexico, but age patterns of union formation are parallel. Also informal sexual unions are less stable relative to marriage in each country.

MALE RESIDENCY AND MATING PATTERNS IN A SUBSOCIAL SPIDER

Male mating strategies are often deployed with regard to female maturity and receptivity, possibly in response to sperm utilization patterns on the part of the female. We examined the pattern of male residency with females during the mating period of the subsocial spider Anelosimus cf. jucundus (Araneae, Theridiidae). We first examined patterns of male cohabitation with naturally occurring penul- timate instar and adult females in the field. Males were significantly more likely to be found in association with adult females, rather than with penultimate instar females. Penultimate instar and virgin adult females of known age were then placed into the field and monitored for residency by subsequently marked males. Males were, again, significantly more likely to be found in association with adult females, rather than with penultimate-instar females, although we were unable to determine if this pattern was due to differ- ential arrival or to differential retention of males at adult female web sites. Aspects of A. cf. jucundus natural history, including duration of male residency and frequency of mating in the field, are provided for the first time. We discuss the patterns of male residency in relation to predictions based on sperm utilization patterns by female A. cf. jucundus spiders.

Households matter: the quiet demography of urban transformation

During the last three decades, the household has become the focus of a wide range of sociodemographic processes, including the destabilization of traditional patterns of marriage, cohabitation and divorce; the growing fluidity of ties of kin and friendship; and increasingly complex transitions through the life course. However, these dynamics - which are often summarized under the common heading of the `second demographic transition' - have been marginalized in the mainstream geographical literature. In this paper, we draw attention to the extensive, albeit fragmented, body of sociological, economic, feminist and geographical insights into the changing social geometry of the household. Recent developments in these domains have affirmed the pivotal role of the household in shaping the geographies of gender, home and everyday life. We underline the importance of households as agents of urban transformation, arguing in favour of the further incorporation of household demography into the interpretation of contemporary urban problems and trends.

A demographic and socio-economic portrait of cohabitation in Botswana

Abstract This study examines the general patterns of cohabitation in Botswana. Using published data from the past two population censuses, the study begins by presenting estimates of the prevalence and the age-sex patterns of this lifestyle. A 2001 national sample survey is then used to examine the demographic and socio-economic profiles of cohabitants relative to married people at the time of the survey. Finally a logistic regression model is used to assess which factors are significantly associated with being in a cohabiting union as opposed to a legal marriage. The results reveal an increasing trend in the prevalence cohabitation and show that, contrary to observations made in many sub-Saharan African countries where cohabitants are often economically independent, cohabitation in Botswana is associated with low socioeconomic status.

Patterns of sexual cohabitation and female ejaculate storage in the American lobster ( Homarus americanus )

Little is known of the time and ejaculate allocation strategies during mating of American lobster, Homarus americanus. This study investigated sexual cohabitation and female ejaculate accumulation patterns in a laboratory mating experiment, as well as female seminal receptacle load in exploited populations in the waters of the Magdalen and Anticosti Islands, in eastern Canada. In the laboratory experiment, the length of sexual cohabitation was proportionate to female size for large but not for small males. Also, large males cohabited with pre- and postmolt females longer than small males. These different time investment strategies can be explained by different mutual benefits. In the field and laboratory, larger females accumulated more ejaculate than smaller ones. This suggests that male lobsters tailor ejaculate to female size, a reliable index of her reproductive potential. Moreover, similarly-sized females accumulated more ejaculate when mated with large compared to small males. Comparison of receptacle loads between wild-mated and laboratory-mated females suggests that the former were mating mainly with smaller males, although some evidence of positive size-assortative mating existed, especially at the less exploited Anticosti site. The results are discussed in the context of evolutionary theory and of proposed management measures to increase egg production in exploited populations.

INTRA- AND INTERSPECIFIC CHARACTERIZATIONS OF BURROW USE AND DEFENSE BY JUVENILE AMBYSTOMATID SALAMANDERS

We conducted two laboratory experiments with juveniles of Ambystoma opacum and A. maculatum to test for intra- and interspecific competition for burrows. Experiment 1 examined how the behavior of an intruder (i.e., an individual that enters an occupied burrow) was influenced by the presence of a resident salamander that had been placed in the test chamber 5 d earlier. In Experiment 2, we investigated patterns of cohabitation when salamanders were introduced singly, as conspecific pairs, or as heterospecific pairs during a 7-d test period. The results of these exper- iments indicate that (1) when maintained alone, juvenile A. opacum were observed more frequently outside of the burrow than were juvenile A. maculatum; (2) A. maculatum were more likely to enter unoccupied burrows compared to burrows that were occupied by conspecific or heterospecific sal- amanders; (3) A. maculatum intruders were bitten more frequently by resident A. opacum than by resident A. maculatum; (4) when two individual salamanders shared a burrow, A. maculatum were more likely to leave a cohabited burrow whereas use of shared burrows by A. opacum was not influenced by the presence of another salamander in the burrow. These experiments demonstrate that juvenile A. opacum may defend burrow space by excluding heterospecific salamanders. How- ever, our results also indicate that species-specific behavioral differences may influence patterns of burrow use, which may reduce the importance of agonistic interactions under natural conditions.

Sexual behaviour in Britain: partnerships, practices, and HIV risk behaviours

Sexual behaviour is a major determinant of sexual and reproductive health. We did a National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal 2000) in 1999-2001 to provide population estimates of behaviour patterns and to compare them with estimates from 1990-91 (Natsal 1990). We did a probability sample survey of men and women aged 16-44 years who were resident in Britain, using computer-assisted interviews. Results were compared with data from respondents in Natsal 1990. We interviewed 11161 respondents (4762 men, 6399 women). Patterns of heterosexual and homosexual partnership varied substantially by age, residence in Greater London, and marital status. In the past 5 years, mean numbers of heterosexual partners were 3.8 (SD 8.2) for men, and 2.4 (SD 4.6) for women; 2.6% (95% CI 2.2-3.1) of both men and women reported homosexual partnerships; and 4.3% (95% CI 3.7-5.0) of men reported paying for sex. In the past year, mean number of new partners varied from 2.04 (SD 8.4) for single men aged 25-34 years to 0.05 (SD 0.3) for married women aged 35-44 years. Prevalence of many reported behaviours had risen compared with data from Natsal 1990. Benefits of greater condom use were offset by increases in reported partners. Changes between surveys were generally greater for women than men and for respondents outside London. Our study provides updated estimates of sexual behaviour patterns. The increased reporting of risky sexual behaviours is consistent with changing cohabitation patterns and rising incidence of sexually transmitted infections. Observed differences between Natsal 1990 and Natsal 2000 are likely to result from a combination of true change and greater willingness to report sensitive behaviours in Natsal 2000 due to improved survey methodology and more tolerant social attitudes.

Diversity and structure of turtle assemblages: associations with wetland characters across a floodplain landscape

We studied 24 wetlands along a 296‐km portion of the lower Missouri River floodplain, USA during 1996–1998. Our goal was to examine relationships between wetland characters and freshwater turtle diversity. We collected data on a total of 2201 individual captures of six freshwater turtle species. Ten species variables (richness, evenness, proportion of lentic species combined, proportion of lotic species combined, and proportions of six individual species) described the turtle assemblage structure and were associated with six broad wetland categories (remnant oxbow, remnant slough, connected scour, isolated scour, temporary farmed, and temporary not farmed) as well as with six abiotic (water depth, distance from the river, duration dry, duration flooded, size, and turbidity) and two biotic (primary and secondary productivity) wetland characters. Repeated‐measures MANOVA and ANOVA revealed highest diversity in remnant sloughs and oxbows as well as in newly created scour wetlands and lowest diversity in temporary wetlands. Multiple regressions and correlations indicated that the single most important wetland characteristic for high turtle diversity was a low annual duration of drying. Oxbows supported the highest proportions of lentic turtles; while connected scours supported the highest proportions of lentic turtles. Lentic species proportions were highest in wetlands that were frequently flooded, relatively distant from the Missouri River, and insect rich, while lotic species proportions were highest in wetlands that were turbid, close to the river, and relatively insect poor. The cohabitation patterns of several turtle species suggest that direct or indirect interactions between species may affect assemblage structure. Based on our broad array of wetlands, we identified crucial wetland types and characteristics that were associated with maximum diversity for freshwater turtles. Empirical studies similar to ours across broad landscapes are needed for a variety of wetland floral and faunal groups before sound conservation and management recommendations can be formulated.

Marriages and Families in a Diverse Society

1. Perspectives on the Family. 2. Research Methods and Social Theories. 3. Gender. 4. Falling In Love: Sexuality and Dating. 5. Patterns of Mate Choice and Cohabitation. 6. Sexuality. 7. Marriage and Partnerships: Interpersonal Relationships. 8. Marriage, Work and Power. 9. Racial and Cultural Diversity Among Families. 10. Social Class and Poverty. 11. Pregnancy: Experiences and Choices. 12. Parents and Children. 13. Communication and Conflict. 14. Family Abuse and Violence. 15. Divorce. 16. Looking Forward: Emerging Trends and Future Potentials.

家族研究におけるライフスタイル分析の意義

Lifestyle analysis is a theoretical and methodological approach for examining individual approaches to assembling one's own life, which uses as its unit of analyzing individual living persons (or living entites) who are “leading their daily lives while building up a life aimed at creating a personalized life based on their own individual interests as living entities”.The objectives of introducing the lifestyle concept into family study include the following.1. To clarify the significance of the existence of the family for individuals. That is, to elucidate the lifestyle of individuals in relation to the family.2. To analyze family lifestyle in order to understand the individual features of building up a joint (cooperative) life in individual families.3. To recognize the lifestyle of “living together”, such as in de facto marriage family and monosexual marriage family, as a characteristic feature of a new style of cohabitation beyond the conventional concept of family. In any event, diversification of lifestyle may be regarded as the “tendency to prepare social conditions for individuals of various different lifestyles as society permits more freedom in the selection of cohabitation patterns by individuals according to their own taste”.

Changing marriage patterns

Abstract In recent times marriage has seemingly become less popular, more fragile and less of an exclusive setting for having children. This paper examines recent changes in marriage, cohabitation, divorce and re-marriage patterns. It suggests that much of the decline in marriage rates, seen since the beginning of the 1970s, is likely to be due to people marrying at increasingly older ages, rather than a wholesale rejection of marriage. One of the more important elements influencing changes in marriage patterns is the rise in cohabitation. We track the development of cohabitation and note that it is now virtually a majority practice prior to marrying and commonplace prior to a re-marriage. Few cohabitations continue for extended periods Cohabitation generally precedes rather than substitutes for marriage. However, a growing minority of couples are no longer marrying before becoming parents and this has contributed to the recent doubling in the proportion of extra-marital births. Over recent decades more p...

"Patterns of Premarital Cohabitation among Never-Married Women in the United States"

This study examines the patterns of heterosexual cohabitation among 20-to-29-year-old never-married women in the United States, using data from a national sample survey conducted in 1983. First, estimates of the incidence and prevalence of cohabitation are presented; then, cohabitors and noncohabitors are compared on the basis offour groups of variables. Finally, logistic regression models are utilized to examine the factors that are associated with cohabitation. The results indicate that heterosexual cohabitation among never-married women is a common occurrence. The prevalence of cohabitation varies with a number of social, psychological, and demographic variables, and severalfactors differentiate the cohabitors from the noncohabitors. But cohabitation, as now practiced among single women in their twenties, does not appear to be a permanent replacement for marriage. For most women it seems to be a new dimension and a part of the courtship process, but not a long-range lifestyle.

Patterns of Premarital Cohabitation among Never-Married Women in the United States

This study examines the patterns of heterosexual cohabitation among 20-to-29-year-old never-married women in the United States, using data from a national sample survey conducted in 1983. First, estimates of the incidence and prevalence of cohabitation are presented; then, cohabitors and noncohabitors are compared on the basis offour groups of variables. Finally, logistic regression models are utilized to examine the factors that are associated with cohabitation. The results indicate that heterosexual cohabitation among never-married women is a common occurrence. The prevalence of cohabitation varies with a number of social, psychological, and demographic variables, and severalfactors differentiate the cohabitors from the noncohabitors. But cohabitation, as now practiced among single women in their twenties, does not appear to be a permanent replacement for marriage. For most women it seems to be a new dimension and a part of the courtship process, but not a long-range lifestyle.

Age patterns of women at marriage, cohabitation, and first birth in India

The purpose of this paper has been to examine the age patterns of Indian women at marriage, cohabitation, and first birth. This task is complicated by features of the Indian marriage institution that differentiate it from the institution of marriage in Western cultures. It is also complicated by the diversity of Indian marriage customs and by the possibility that Indian marriage patterns have changed over time. Nevertheless, our analysis of survey data for two districts in south central India support the following conclusions: Marriage and childbearing have been and continue to be universal. The timing of marriage and childbearing, which showed only a small increase over a fairly long period of time, appears more recently to be undergoing some changes in the direction of longer delays. The significant rural-urban differences in marriage and fertility timing are at least partly the result of the greater impact of education on age at marriage, cohabitation, and first birth in urban areas than in rural areas. Observed characteristics such as religion and education explain more variation in women's marriage and fertility timing in urban areas than in rural areas (i.e., education seems to generate new social norms that tend to displace norms derived from tradition. The incidence of childhood marriages and two-stage marriages has been on the decline, causing the small but noticeable rise in age at marriage to exceed somewhat the increase in age at cohabitation. Age patterns of marriage in India do not closely resemble Western patterns, although age patterns of cohabitation and first birth do. And socioeconomic variables appear to explain less variation in marriage and fertility timing within local communities than across communities. Most important, the results highlight the need for more recent and richer data on marriage and fertility behavior in India. In particular, they strongly suggest that marriage patterns in India are now in the midst of major changes. This conclusion is similar to that reached by Caldwell, Reddy, and Caldwell (1983), who adopted a more qualitative approach to analyzing marriage change than ours, but whose observations are also more recent than ours. Through the collection and analysis of more recent and geographically widespread data, we can begin to assess more fully the nature and magnitude of the demographic changes under way and speculate on their implications for population growth, economic development, and the formulation of public policy in India.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Marital breakdown and the future of marriage

The institution of marriage is in a process of transformation. There is evidence of changing patterns of premarital sexual behaviour and cohabitation. But the single most important indicator of change is an unprecedented rise in marital breakdown in the last 25 years. In England and Wales one in three marriages are heading for dissolution and in the U.S.A. the number is nearer one in two. The adverse consequences of divorce are extensive and involve ill-health and poor functioning at work. In order to match the new aspirations of marriage a whole series of corrective measures are needed in education and preventive work.

Illegitimacy, Concubinage, and Proletarianization in a French Town, 1760-1914

The author examines patterns of illegitimacy and unmarried cohabitation in the town of Bezons France over the period 1760-1914. Changes in these patterns are discussed in relation to industrialization and the development of a wage-earner class in the late nineteenth century (ANNOTATION)