Contact: Melissa Teutsch, 800-858-4109 ext.144, melissa.teutsch@howardpublishing.com
MEDIA ADVISORY, March 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- Attend a three-part teleconference briefing on the new book, "Living Together: Myths, Risks & Answers" by Mike & Harriet McManus, co-founders of Marriage Savers.
Dial-in number: 641-715-3200; Enter Access Code: 640718#; Please identify yourself.
Briefing #1:
The Myths & Risks of Cohabitation
March 7th - 2 pm
Briefing #2:
Answers to Cohabitation #1-3: premarital inventory, couple mentoring, skill training
March 14th - 2 pm
Briefing #3:
Answers to Cohabitation: 4 & 5: Move Apart and Remain Chaste Until Wedding
March 20th - 2 pm
Briefing #1
Myths: Two-thirds of couples cohabit before they marry. Many are children of divorce or unwed parents and fear marriage. Many say they do so to save money - a myth. They could save the same amount living with same gender friends. They believe they can test the relationship in a "trial marriage." What four out of five will experience is really a "trial divorce." The only question is whether they will break up before the wedding or afterwards.
Risks: Nearly half will break up short of marriage, undergoing premarital divorce which can be as painful as the real thing. And those who cohabited before marriage are 50 percent more likely to divorce than those who live separately. As one marriage expert puts it, "You can't practice permanence."
Men and women cohabit for different reasons. Women see it as a step toward marriage. Men, as available sex, companionship and sharing costs - without commitment. When men don't pop the question, women get depressed, and are three times as likely to be depressed as married women. They are also three times more likely to be physically abused. Cohabiting men are four times as likely as husbands to be unfaithful, and cohabiting women are eight times more likely to cheat as married women. Another risk is they'll have children. Fully 41 percent of cohabiting couples have a child compared to only 45 percent of married couples.
Q&A following teleconference briefing will include answers to:
- Why doesn't it make sense to live together to test the relationship?
- What has the impact been of cohabitation on marriage rates? Divorce rates?
- Why has the church been silent on this issue?
Preview the McManus' answers by watching "The 700 Club" on ABC Family Network at 10 am March 7.
To request a review copy of "Living Together" or additional information, contact Melissa Teutsch at melissa.teutsch@howardpublishing.com.
