Living together before marriage. Is it good?

its good to live together before marriage... in my view

That's all gay people have.

I lived with my hubby for 4 yrs before we got married. So I think it is good....

Yes it's a good indicator if marriage will work.

Personally, I think it's a great idea! I agree that it's a good way to "test" the waters! If you can't live together before you are married, it sure as heck won't change if you get married!

I lived with my hubby before we got married!

A woman at my work said she should have done this with her past husband because they broke up because they couldn't get along. She lived with her next husband and they are still together.

I think it depends on the couple. It's not for everyone and depends on your finances, your religious beliefs, etc. For instance, some people can't afford rent on two apartments, so living together might be better financially.

Good, for many reasons. :-)

Blessings and best wishes - S.

I'm all for it!

I don't think it's for everyone. Also, depends on how long you've known them and I think you would have to agree on finances. I have a friend who has been living with her fiance for the last 4 years - blows hot and cold on when they are going to get married. Recently he was pushing for a baby ... then all of a sudden - he's not sure about getting married. But, she has a child from someone else and can't afford to get out on her own - so effectively - she's stuck right now.

I think it's a wonderful idea, though I know that there may be some with "religious" values issues (an no not just Christians). I jumped into my first marriage, big mistake! and it took me way too long to get out of it. When I met and moved in with David, we had no plans to ever get married. I really didn't think I would ever want to again. But after being together for the better part of six years he popped the question and I said yes. The only thing that has changed between us is now we have a single bank account and we share a last name.

So, Yeah, I'm a huge advocate for testing the waters first.

Answer: No, never. For the following reasons: One, no marriage is ever "good"; any relationship requires personal adjustments (even if one were to live with one's own clone). Two, without commitment, there is little or no incentive for "making a go of it." Three, the very act of not making a commitment, makes the trial self defeating. Four, sex (which most people unfortunately think is the prime reason for marriage --- that is, sex for sex's sake) is always disappointing either from the beginning or later. It is the genuine affection and psychological union that makes the sex have value any more than pure masturbation. Five, one never gets to know another until stuck into a committed relationship. For this reason even an engagement of more than three months is counter productive. Six, since the "living together" implies having sexual relationships (and only a fool would pretend that that would not happen) the likelyhood of having children is a "real and present danger." This puts upon the two, committed or not, the most significant and important responsibility that a human being can encounter in his or her existence. What does this mean? It means simply this, "if you are not willing to control yourself including your future desires and responsibilities and devote your entire life to the care and nurturing of your children, DON'T SCREW AROUND (literally).
I know this is against the popular opinion (and as expressed above by others including some very good Gather friends) but it is the view that any truely mature human being will have. If you don't feel this way I suggest you look in the mirror and the mirror of your soul and think about starting to GROW UP.

Today, I would have to say yes. There are way too many divorces.

I know that man and woman are not meant to live together
before marriage. In God's eyes it is forbidden !! Both must
remain pure and chaste until marriage.

You really don't know a person until you've lived with them so I say yes!
I lived with my hubby 3 years B4 and we've been married 20yrs.

thanx

Yes live with the person 4 seasons! You wont know them until you do!

It is better to live together. once I married is when the big problems of control started. Co-habitating is more of an equal standing.

Everyone is different. I think it is important to know someone before you marry them; living with them is another matter.

Absolutely not. #1 - the Bible says that we're not supposed to have intimate relations outside of marriage, and I don't know any couple that lives together without being intimate. #2 - according to the statistics I've seen, more marriages end that started with the couple living together than those that did not.

In my opinion i think living together first would definately be better, however statistics say the complete opposite so who knows

I think living toether in this day and time is better,because it will give you the chance to really get to know one another ,and if you were not meant to betogether than you want have to live the mistake while being married, and iam sorry for what i about to sayat lest living together if he dose not work out you can away replace them

No I don't think it's good. I say that for personal reasons mainly, but even without those there are statistics I actually did research of couples who lived together before marriage and viewed a lot of research in the area, none of its positive (minus the fact that men contribute more in housework). It actually increases divorce rates and instances of violence...

I know a few couples who've done this, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It's not my place to judge, but to me marriage is something scared.

YES! its easier to get rid of the guy if hes a jerk, with out the involvement of that little piece of paper

Well, I see both sides of the coin. I know, from my religious background, that it is not "morally" right, but from experience, I know that I'm glad I didn't marry some of the jerks I've been with! lol It is sad though, thinking about how, back in my grandparents' day, people really got married for life. These days, it's way to easy to walk away. "Everyone's doing it", seems to make it ok for so many people.

How better to find out if you can get along with each other. Some say that you shouldn't have a relationship with someone you met at work. If you work well with that person, a love relationship might work well, too.