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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...
"Put a Ring On It"
After 34+ years of wedded bliss I can say that it has been worth the effort. One of my closest friends has been married four times, with too many "live ins" and girl friends to count in the interim moments between marriages in the same period of time. He routinely expresses his admiration for my wife's patience with me, my endurance in doing all I can to make her happy, and our mutual determination to help each other be better than we are today...everyday. He's still searching and I wish him every bit of good fortune in finding the girl of his dreams. The difference between us? We view our marriage as an eternal union which helps us see beyond the daily bumps and toils. We often evaluate...