How cohabitation may affect women’s happiness

Despite cohabiting before marriage becoming increasingly popular in today's world, recent research has found that unmarried women who live with their partner are unhappier than married women as a result of society's disapproval.

The study, carried out by researchers at the University of Cologne in Germany, analysed data from more than 22,000 people across multiple countries. The findings indicated that, on a happiness scale ranging from 0 (very happy) to 7 (very unhappy), married women generally reported higher levels of well-being than women who were cohabiting with a partner outside of marriage.

Researchers suggested that while many modern couples choose to live together without marrying, social pressures and traditional views can still affect how these relationships are perceived. In some communities, unmarried women may face subtle judgement or assumptions about the seriousness of their relationship, which can negatively impact confidence and emotional well-being.

The study found that in countries where more traditional expectations around marriage and gender roles remain strong, women living with a partner outside marriage were more likely to report feeling socially judged or unsupported. According to the researchers, this disapproval may contribute to lower happiness levels and reduced self-esteem over time.

The researchers explained that in more traditional societies, people may wrongly assume that a woman is cohabiting because her partner does not want to commit to marriage. These perceptions, they noted, can lead to feelings of embarrassment, pity, or exclusion, even when the couple themselves are happy with their relationship arrangement.

Interestingly, the study reported that men appeared to be far less affected by social attitudes towards cohabitation. Researchers found little evidence that traditional expectations or public opinion had the same emotional impact on men as it did on women.

The research highlights how cultural attitudes towards relationships continue to shape personal well-being, even as modern relationships become increasingly diverse and socially accepted.

Source: University of Cologne study based on data collected from more than 22,000 participants worldwide. The research was published in the mid-2010s.