The Impact of Trial Marriage to Personal Growth of a College Student

INTRODUCTION

A number of studies show that premarital cohabitation is associated with the increased risk of
subsequent marital dissolution. Some argue that this is a consequence of selection effects and that once
these are controlled of premarital cohabitation has no effect on dissolution. We examine the effect of
premarital cohabitation on subsequent marital dissolution by using rich retrospective life-history data
from Austria. We model union formation and dissolution jointly to control for unobserved selectivity of
cohabiters and non-cohabiters. Our results show that those who cohabit prior to marriage have a higher
risk of marital dissolution. However, once observed characteristics are controlled for, the risk of marital
dissolution for those who cohabit prior to marriage are significantly lower than for those who marry
directly. The finding that premarital cohabitation decreases the risk of marital separation provides support
for the trial marriage theory.The concept of trial marriage is traced historically and anthropologically.
Highlights of a recent NCFR Workshop are reported. To harness the trend constructively the author
recommends that young people who have had a living-together experience, evaluate it with a counselor in
order to gain insight about their potentialities as mates. Research is recommended to determine whether
trial marriage is a valid preparation for marriage.

One of the most serious and interesting discussions heard for some time and a debate was Thai on
the motion: That a system of trial or compassionate marriage is desirable, which was moved by Mr.
Chorlton and Mr. K. Scott, and opposed by Mr. Taylor and Mr. Bishop. The opening speakers gave full
and well reasoned statement of their views, and spoke with an evident sincerity such as is not always
shown in debates. The audience seemed to be keenly interested throughout, and gave almost every
speaker an attentive hearing. It helped to raise our hopes in Victoria College as a place where topics of
vital interest can be intelligently discussed when we found that despite our frequent frivolities we can
when the occasion demands are serious. To characterise the debate as serious, however, does not imply
that it was dull. The speaking was of a slightly higher order than in the earlier debates of the session.
The researcher is very much interested on finding out the impact of trial marriage to the personal growth
of a college student which made her decide to undertake this study.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

The general objective of this study was to study the different effects of trial marriage to the
personal growth of a college student.
Specifically, it sought answers to the following questions:

1. How does college students who are involve in trial marriage observe their morality and their
relationship to:
a. Divine Creator
b. Parents
c. Friends
d. Teachers
2. Advantages of trial marriage to the college students
3. Disadvantages of trial marriage to the college students