This episode has been eye-opening because my family and peers have not openly discussed this topic. Hearing from our dear friend Dr. John Carlo Malabad about the science of cohabitation and the repercussions of settling for cohabitation over marriage has made me realize things and encouraged me to share this special episode with you.
Salient points from the episode (prepared by our Scriptwriter Amira Bravo based on the presentation of Dr. John Carlo Malabad during our Wired Fellowship):
Reasons why young working professionals choose to cohabitate rather than to get married or to live together first before getting married:
- Economic reasons (not financially ready or want to avoid the cost of wedding)
- Convenience
- Fear of commitment
- Lack of trust in marriage
- Although most Filipinos still value marriage as the legitimate avenue for procreation, a significant proportion would rather not marry than endure a bad marriage. This is a significant break from the past when couples were expected to stay together despite marital problems for the sake of their children.
The consequences or effects of cohabitation and live-in relationships on the family and health of involved couples:
- “Studies show that cohabiting unions are more likely to dissolve than marriages…They are more likely to involve infidelity, violence, domestic and child abuse…”
- “More health problems are observed in families formed by live-in couples, including mental health issues. What’s worse is even the children are greatly affected: premature birth, school failure, lower education, more poverty during childhood and lower incomes as adults, more incarceration and behavior problems, single parenthood, medical neglect and chronic health problems, more substance abuse…”
What does the Bible say about the matter:
- Hebrews 13:4 “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
- Ephesians 5:3 “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”
- James 2:11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
God commands us to honor marriage and stay away from any form of sexual immorality, which includes premarital sex.
Sex, as designed by God, has always been in the context of marriage.
jessa 