"Put a Ring On It"

"Put a Ring On It"

Once again, popular music follows contemporary culture. Beyonce’s pop hit, “Single Ladies,” celebrates today’s cohabitation scene. With nearly 50 percent of young adults aged 20-40 cohabiting, living together has become a far-too-typical experience marking a young woman’s coming of age. Beyonce’s lyrics treat the reality of cohabitation with typical sass — “Cuz I cried my tears, gave three good years.” Actually, the typical cohabiting relationship lasts only 18 months, and usually it is the guy rather than the girl who determines when it ends and whether it will lead to marriage.

Perhaps Beyonce’s hit song gives a small glimmer...