"Living Apart Together" relationships in the United States

Charles Strohm, Susan Cochran, Vickie Mays and Judith Seltzer
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Charles Strohm: University of California, Los Angeles
Susan Cochran: University of California, Los Angeles
Vickie Mays: University of California, Los Angeles
Judith Seltzer: University of California, Los Angeles

Demographic Research, 2009, vol. 21, issue 7, 177-214

Abstract: We use two surveys to describe the demographic and attitudinal correlates of being in “Living Apart Together” (LAT), cohabiting, and marital relationships for heterosexuals, lesbians, and gay men. About one third of U.S. adults not married or cohabiting are in LAT relationships – these individuals would be classified as “single” in conventional studies that focus on residential unions. Gay men are somewhat more likely than heterosexual men to be in LAT relationships. For heterosexuals and lesbians, LAT relationships are more common among younger people. Heterosexuals in LAT unions are less likely to expect to marry their partners, but more likely to say that couples should be emotionally dependent than are cohabiters. Regardless of sexual orientation, people in LAT relationships perceive similar amounts of emotional support from partners, but less instrumental support than cohabiters perceive.

Keywords: attitudes; cohabitation; marriage; second demographic transition; same-sex couples; social support; living apart together (LAT); nonresidential partnership; homosexual; gay; lesbian (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J1 Z0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:dem:demres:v:21:y:2009:i:7

DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2009.21.7

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