The meanings of cohabitation in 'low cohabitation land': the case of Italy

This article presents the results of 50 in-depth interviews with individuals who are cohabiting or who married after cohabitation. The choice of cohabitation acquires varying meanings, based on the phase of life and the stage of transition to adulthood in which it is made. When it marks attainment of independent living, it is a choice similar to marriage. For single individuals, it has a more experimental nature. It can also be dictated by an inability to sustain the wedding expenses. The preference towards cohabitation is also linked to the loss of the social significance of marriage, in so much as it is appraised for its useful instrumental function in order to acquire rights, without however rejecting the importance of its ritual dimension. The motives for getting married are essentially linked to the lack of legal recognition of common-law couples, with the aim of securing legal protection for partners and children.