Cohabitation and Its Consequences in Ghana

Abstract

Although largely considered an unconventional form of domestic partnership, cohabitation is a growing phenomenon in Ghana. The lived experiences of cohabiting couples have, however, received little scholarly attention. Drawing on in-depth interviews conducted with cohabiting couples in Accra, Ghana, this study focuses on the implications of cohabitation on cohabitees. The data showed that cohabitees often face pressures from their families, churches, friends, and neighbors to either convert their unions to marriage or end the relationships. The relationships are also characterized by intimate partner violence and poor relationship quality. Women, more than men, tend to suffer these consequences of cohabitation. The study’s general conclusion is that the implications of cohabitation are mostly negative, and the gendered nature of the experiences reflects the sociocultural landscape of the Ghanaian society and how men and women are viewed differently in terms of their marital status.

Is cohabitation a prerequisite for marriage?: Exploring Ghanaian emerging adults’ attitudes and intentions

“…Additionally, they believed that marriage was an enormous commitment and thus cohabitation would ensure that they are able to make an informed decision. This is somewhat consistent with the notion that Ghanaian marriages transcend the couple due to the involvement of families and the community (Boateng, 1996; Obeng-Hinneh & Kpoor, 2021). These parties contribute to partner selection, marriage, and childcare and their investment places added pressure on these emerging adults to choose right and do well in marriage.…”

“…Participants believed that marriage was non-negotiable due to the benefits that come with having a legal marriage where they would feel secure, and their interests would be better protected. In addition to this, as Obeng-Hinneh and Kpoor (2021) explained, many cohabiters are neglected and stigmatized by their immediate family who do not agree with their choices. This rids them of the social support that would have helped them advocate their interests and those of their children should they have any while cohabiting.…”

“…Research on cohabitation in America and Europe largely focused on how it relates to marital satisfaction and the likelihood of divorce (e.g., Brown & Wright, 2017;Perelli-Harris et al, 2017;Rosenfeld & Roesler, 2019). In Ghana, however, studies on cohabitation even in relation to marriage are few as far as we are aware (e.g., Macaulay, 2015;Obeng-Hinneh & Kpoor, 2021;Odimegwu et al, 2018). Our current study responds to calls to study the complexities (including attitudes and intentions) around cohabitation (Manning, 2007) within the Ghanaian setting.…”

Potential risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and associated sociodemographic characteristics: A cross-sectional evaluation of a large cohort of women living with HIV in north-central Nigeria

“…The single relationship remained a positive predictor of alcohol consumption. In a single relationship, alcohol use may help fill the void of stable companionship which could easily be met with cohabitation in the Western world but is strictly forbidden in the African setting based on sociocultural and religious norms [ 33 , 34 ] In the African sociocultural landscape, a marital relationship provides social support which is often necessary for a PLHIV [ 35 ].…”