Abstract
This paper tests for differences in reported life satisfaction between married and cohabiting persons, i.e. the cohabitation
gap, and in particular whether selection factors can explain the cohabitation gap. The paper also explores whether age at
marriage and at start of cohabitation as well as the duration of relationship type matters for subjective well-being. Based
on statistical and regression analysis of the 2008 National Income Dynamics Survey, married and cohabiting persons exhibit
some differences in their respective determinants of life satisfaction. While the age at relationship commencement has no
relationship with well-being, there is evidence to suggest that married people become more satisfied at a later stage in marriage,
while cohabitants are more satisfied initially. A significant cohabitation gap exists (0.251), but after controlling for various
selection factors, the cohabitation gap virtually disappears (0.042) and becomes insignificant, which suggests that marriage
and cohabitation are very similar in South Africa. Relative income, absolute income, and education explain the largest part
of the cohabitation gap. Against the global backdrop of an increasing trend towards cohabitation and declining marriage rates,
the overall results of this paper suggest that, since a cohabitation gap no longer exists after controlling for selection
factors, South Africans may as well not go the “official route” of entering into marriage, as cohabitation provides similar
benefits in terms of its contribution to individual satisfaction with life.
gap, and in particular whether selection factors can explain the cohabitation gap. The paper also explores whether age at
marriage and at start of cohabitation as well as the duration of relationship type matters for subjective well-being. Based
on statistical and regression analysis of the 2008 National Income Dynamics Survey, married and cohabiting persons exhibit
some differences in their respective determinants of life satisfaction. While the age at relationship commencement has no
relationship with well-being, there is evidence to suggest that married people become more satisfied at a later stage in marriage,
while cohabitants are more satisfied initially. A significant cohabitation gap exists (0.251), but after controlling for various
selection factors, the cohabitation gap virtually disappears (0.042) and becomes insignificant, which suggests that marriage
and cohabitation are very similar in South Africa. Relative income, absolute income, and education explain the largest part
of the cohabitation gap. Against the global backdrop of an increasing trend towards cohabitation and declining marriage rates,
the overall results of this paper suggest that, since a cohabitation gap no longer exists after controlling for selection
factors, South Africans may as well not go the “official route” of entering into marriage, as cohabitation provides similar
benefits in terms of its contribution to individual satisfaction with life.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Research Paper
- Pages 1-24
- DOI 10.1007/s10902-012-9337-3
- Authors
- Ferdi Botha, Department of Economics and Economic History, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140 South Africa
- Frikkie Booysen, Department of Economics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9301 South Africa
- Journal Journal of Happiness Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-7780
- Print ISSN 1389-4978