How do you explain the falling marriage rate in Quebec, the Sweden of Canada where cohabitation is concerned?
In Quebec, where there is a fierce commitment to gender equality, cohabitation is seen as a more equitable arrangement. Quebeckers also identity marriage with the Catholic Church, which for centuries exerted such a powerful control over their society. Cohabiting is likely a rejection of marriage’s religious associations. When you look at marriage across time and across cultures, what are its most prevalent and enduring qualities? The institution of marriage has always been the organizing principle of society, and this continues today, despite cultural and legal accommodation to the reality of large numbers of single people. Another common denominator is that marriage has always been associated with child-rearing. The financial implications of marriage remain important though they are no longer paramount. How has marriage been influenced by modern city life? The infrastructure of modern cities makes living singly so much easier, hence an appealing choice for many, especially women. With
