Critique

The author talks about the reflection of cohabiting and married couples regarding lifestyles. The author states the main idea clearly that is “cohabitation has proven to be one of the popular couple-responses to the decline in traditional marital expectations” (Wiersma, 1983, p.125). Wiersma provides examples and surveys to support her main idea, which her examples are all actually facts. The author’s argument is logical and it supports the main idea because what she says is it always depends on a person’s lifestyle to choose whether he or she suitable to cohabit or marry in nowadays. There is sufficient evidence for the argument. For example, today women depend on men less for their survival. Some women think that they can still survive and live happily without marrying or relying on men. This obviously proves the reason why marriage is declining now. However, the author does not provide enough points to support her idea. For example, may the culture in every country affect people’s choices of choosing to cohabit or marry? What about religions and any traditional histories? The author gives too many people’s point of view but neglects some things which can also affect the result of cohabitation and marriage importantly. In my own opinion, I agree what the author says about “relationships are choices made equally for personal reasons” (Wiersma, 1983, p.126). People should choose their choices depend on their own lifestyles and personalities. However, I do not fully support the author’s last point, which is “cohabitation can be an alternative to marriage”. Cohabitation and marriage are two different kinds of matter. Both of them can not be replaced by each other. Although the author says that “there is an increase of rationality in the modern world and a diminishing of the mythical, the romantic, and the poetic” (Wiersma, 1983, p.124), I think marriage is still an important role in the society and it is not easily replaced by cohaitation.