At the moment, women cohabitees are at a disadvantage to male cohabitees. However, both are living in uncertainty; as without any legal binding, either partner could simply leave immediately without reason. Without any legal agreement for property or maintenance they are often left coming out of long-term relationships with a very small percentage of the property and savings. In the case of a sudden death of a long term partner or incapacitation, his other half may not receive any of his/her possessions.
Surely if a new law is made for cohabitation, it would just quickly become an alternative for marriage. All we would be doing is forcing people into a commitment that some people will not want. Couples will be told that if they want to live together, that they now must abide by these new cohabitation laws. Then in contrast, if the cohabitation law does become a voluntary document; in no time at all it will be exactly like a marriage but without the ceremony. The
However, if couples are not willing to declare their commitment and love for each other publically and with a legal document; why should they both enjoy the benefits and rights that marriage offers? Marriage is a ceremony which is losing its significance, with divorce rates hitting the highest for twenty-nine years in 2010 - “for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part,”. Marriage is a ceremony which is now taken for granted by many couples. Marriage is a seen as something you can come in and out of with whoever you like. It’s no longer a once in a lifetime event; and with this mitigation of marriage laws and bindings, it’s no longer problematic for a couple too become legally married.
An introduction of cohabitee’s rights would undermine the significance and institution of a marriage. With no “real” commitments or ceremony, what’s to stop gold diggers moving in with rich men and profiting. Yes, people can be drastically affected by cohabitation break ups and can often be left with very little – but they have a choice which they chose to make. How can a cohabite claim rights when they didn’t enter any commitment. New cohabitees would only cause more malice, greed an injustice than it would ever recover in integrity. If a couple are not willing to enter a marriage together; and confirm their relationship in a legal written document, why should they enjoy the security and benefits of marriage. We are living in a changing world where marriage is no longer a religious ceremony, but a public, legal declaration of love and unity.
