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Pre-Cohabitation Conversations for Relationships: Recommended Questions for Discussion.
Kristina S Brown1, Brooke Schmidt2, Cate Morrow3
1Couple and Family Therapy Department, Adler University, 17 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60602 USA.
Contemporary Family Therapy
|July 19, 2021
Summary
Moving in together signifies a major relationship step. This guide offers crucial pre-cohabitation conversations and questions to help couples navigate this transition successfully, considering diverse backgrounds.
Area of Science:
- Relationship Science
- Family Studies
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Cohabitation represents a significant relationship milestone, often indicating increased commitment.
- Existing literature predominantly focuses on white, heterosexual, monogamous relationships, necessitating broader considerations.
- Diverse factors such as race, culture, religion, and sexual/gender identity significantly influence cohabiting dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide essential pre-cohabitation conversation topics and question prompts for couples.
- To offer guidance for therapists and couples preparing for shared living.
- To address a comprehensive range of relationship issues, including underrepresented perspectives.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on cohabitation dynamics.
- Development of conversation categories: relationship negotiations, household rules, and communication.
- Inclusion of diverse identity considerations based on literature and expert experience.
Main Results:
- A structured set of pre-cohabitation conversation prompts is presented.
- Key areas for discussion include relationship expectations, household management, and communication strategies.
- Emphasis on incorporating discussions around race, culture, religion, and sexual/gender identity.
Conclusions:
- Proactive communication prior to moving in is vital for relationship success.
- The provided framework aids couples in navigating the complexities of cohabitation.
- Addressing diverse identities enriches the preparation process for a shared living space.
Keywords:
CohabitationCommunicationConsensual non-monogamyCouples therapyRaceReligionSelf-helpSexual and gender identityTherapy resourceMore Related Videos
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