Which of the following describes a current trend in cohabitation and marriage?

• A. Cohabitation has been increasing, but marriage has decreased
• B. Cohabitation and marriage both increased
• C. Cohabitation decreased while marriage increased
• D. Cohabitation remained stable and marriage increased

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is how intimate-relationship patterns are shifting: more people are living together without marrying, while fewer people are getting married or choosing to delay marriage. This option fits best because it describes a divergence in trends that social researchers often observe: cohabitation is on the rise as a common living arrangement, whereas marriage rates have declined or are being postponed to later ages. These changes reflect broader social shifts—greater acceptance of nonmarital partnerships, economic considerations like student debt and housing costs, and evolving expectations around commitment and family formation.

If you think about the other patterns, they don’t align with what many data sets show in recent decades. It would be unusual to claim both cohabitation and marriage are rising at the same time without nuance, or that cohabitation is decreasing while marriage increases, or that cohabitation stays steady while marriage climbs. The statement that best captures the current trajectory is the one where cohabitation grows while marriage decreases or remains on the decline.