Project – Intergenerational Differences in Attitudes toward Cohabitation and Marriage among Young Adults: A Study of Selected Urban Communities in Enugu State

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Marriage has historically occupied an important position in the social organisation of families and communities, providing a framework for intimate relationships, childbearing, socialisation and the transmission of cultural values from one generation to another. However, marriage is not a static institution; its meaning, timing and expectations have changed in response to economic, cultural, demographic and social transformations. Cherlin (2004) argued that marriage in contemporary societies has increasingly moved from being viewed primarily as an institutional obligation toward becoming an individualised relationship in which personal fulfilment, emotional satisfaction and self-development are increasingly emphasised. Similarly, Thornton, Axinn and Xie (2007) observed that family behaviours and attitudes are transmitted across generations but are also transformed as younger cohorts encounter new social circumstances. These changes have become particularly important in understanding how young adults perceive marriage and alternative forms of intimate relationships such as cohabitation.

Cohabitation, generally understood as an intimate relationship in which an unmarried couple lives together, has become increasingly visible in many societies and has challenged the traditional assumption that living together should necessarily follow formal marriage. Research in Western societies indicates that cohabitation has moved from being a relatively marginal family arrangement to a more common stage in the life course, although its meaning differs across societies and social groups (Manning, 2004; Smock, Manning, & Porter, 2005). In Nigeria, however, cohabitation exists within a cultural environment where marriage continues to carry strong religious, familial and communal significance. Evidence from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey demonstrates that marriage and union formation remain important demographic institutions, while newer demographic datasets also collect information on cohabitation and first union formation, reflecting the relevance of changing union patterns in contemporary Nigeria (National Population Commission [NPC] & ICF International, 2014; National Population Commission [NPC] & ICF, 2024). The coexistence of traditional expectations surrounding marriage and emerging patterns of non-marital relationships makes attitudes toward cohabitation an important subject of sociological investigation.

The attitudes of young adults toward marriage may differ considerably from those of older generations because the two groups have experienced different social, economic and cultural environments. Older generations may have been socialised in settings where marriage was regarded as an expected transition to adulthood, while younger adults increasingly encounter delayed marriage, prolonged education, unemployment, changing gender expectations, social media influence and greater emphasis on individual choice. Thornton et al. (2007) described such processes as part of the intergenerational transmission and change of family-related attitudes, explaining that children often inherit family values from parents but may modify those values as social conditions change. In the Nigerian context, this generational dimension is particularly significant because traditional family expectations continue to coexist with modern lifestyles and changing aspirations. The result may be differences between generations concerning the appropriate age for marriage, reasons for marrying, the acceptability of cohabitation before marriage and whether marriage should be pursued primarily for family expectations or individual emotional fulfilment.

Economic circumstances also have important implications for young adults’ attitudes toward marriage and cohabitation. Marriage often involves considerable financial expectations, including accommodation, wedding ceremonies, bride-price or marriage-related expenditures, household establishment and responsibilities associated with raising children. Young adults facing unemployment, unstable income, high housing costs and economic uncertainty may consequently postpone formal marriage or reconsider conventional pathways to family formation. Manning and Smock (2005) demonstrated that cohabitation can have multiple meanings, including an economic strategy, a period of relationship testing and an alternative to formal marriage, rather than being interpreted simply as a temporary stage before marriage. Recent Nigerian evidence similarly indicates that economic hardship, accommodation challenges and other socioeconomic circumstances can influence cohabitation among young adults and students (Nnubia et al., 2021; Owa & Aderinto, 2026). These socioeconomic realities may therefore create differences between generations, particularly where older adults interpret marriage primarily through traditional responsibilities while younger adults assess marriage in relation to financial readiness and contemporary living conditions.

Religious and cultural values also remain important in shaping Nigerian attitudes toward cohabitation and marriage. In many Nigerian communities, marriage is strongly connected to religious morality, family honour, childbearing, kinship obligations and social legitimacy. Consequently, cohabitation may be viewed negatively because it occurs outside formal marriage and may be associated with sexual relationships that are considered inconsistent with religious or cultural expectations. At the same time, recent research among Nigerian university students indicates that young adults may hold more complex and sometimes contradictory views, recognising the emotional and economic benefits of cohabitation while simultaneously acknowledging cultural and religious objections to the practice (Owa & Aderinto, 2026). Nnubia et al. (2021) likewise found that cohabitation among Nigerian undergraduates was associated with factors such as financial difficulties, peer influence, inadequate parental training and changing attitudes toward traditional culture. This combination of continued cultural regulation and changing individual preferences makes generational differences in attitudes particularly important for understanding contemporary intimate relationships.

The Nigerian family is also experiencing broader changes in the timing and organisation of marriage. National demographic evidence indicates considerable differences in marriage patterns according to age, residence, education and socioeconomic characteristics. The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey reported differences in age at first marriage across regions and socioeconomic groups, with marriage occurring later among some urban and more educated populations (NPC & ICF International, 2014). The 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey also includes detailed measures of current marital status, first cohabitation, age at first cohabitation and union history, demonstrating the demographic importance of examining both formal marriage and non-marital unions in contemporary Nigeria (NPC & ICF, 2024). Urbanisation may further intensify these differences because urban young adults are exposed to diverse lifestyles, educational opportunities, employment patterns, media influences and social networks. As a result, younger urban residents may develop attitudes toward marriage that differ from those of older residents whose expectations were formed under substantially different socioeconomic and cultural conditions.

Enugu State provides a relevant setting for examining these intergenerational differences because it combines strong family and religious traditions with an increasingly urban and socially diverse population. Existing evidence from Enugu Urban suggests that young people’s attitudes toward marriage are being influenced by socioeconomic pressures, changing cultural expectations, psychological concerns and media exposure. A recent study of youth attitudes toward marriage in Enugu Urban reported that unemployment, high living costs, concerns about marriage expenses, fear of divorce, emotional preparedness and social media exposure were among the factors associated with declining enthusiasm toward marriage among young people (Mezie, 2026). In addition, research involving students at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, found that cohabitation was already present among a measurable proportion of students and was associated with financial problems, peer influence, academic considerations and changing attitudes toward traditional cultural expectations (Nnubia et al., 2021). These developments suggest that attitudes toward marriage and cohabitation in Enugu cannot be understood solely through traditional family values; rather, they require attention to the interaction between generations, urbanisation, socioeconomic realities, cultural expectations and changing conceptions of intimate relationships. It is against this background that this study examines intergenerational differences in attitudes toward cohabitation and marriage among young adults in selected urban communities in Enugu State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Marriage remains one of the most important social institutions in Nigerian society, yet the expectations surrounding marriage appear to be changing among younger generations. Traditionally, marriage has been strongly associated with adulthood, family formation, childbearing, social respectability and fulfilment of family obligations. However, young adults increasingly face conditions that can delay or alter the traditional transition into marriage, including prolonged education, unemployment, housing difficulties, changing gender expectations and rising costs of establishing a household. Evidence from Enugu Urban indicates that socioeconomic hardship, fear of divorce, emotional preparedness and social media exposure are among the factors influencing young people’s attitudes toward marriage (Mezie, 2026). The problem is therefore not simply that young people are delaying marriage, but that the meaning attached to marriage may itself be changing in ways that could differ substantially from the expectations of older generations.

A second problem concerns the increasing visibility of cohabitation among young Nigerians despite the continued strength of cultural and religious norms favouring formal marriage. Research among students at the University of Nigeria found that a measurable proportion of respondents were cohabiting, while financial difficulties, academic considerations, peer pressure, inadequate parental training and changing cultural attitudes were identified as relevant factors (Nnubia et al., 2021). More recent qualitative research among Nigerian university students also found that cohabitation could be understood as a source of emotional companionship and economic convenience, even though respondents continued to recognise cultural and religious concerns about the practice (Owa & Aderinto, 2026). This creates a potential generational tension in which older adults may interpret cohabitation primarily as a departure from accepted cultural and moral standards, whereas some younger adults may view it as a practical, relational or transitional arrangement.

A third problem is that generational differences in attitudes toward intimate relationships may create misunderstanding and conflict between parents, older relatives and young adults. Older generations may expect young people to follow established pathways involving courtship, family involvement, formal marriage and early family formation, whereas younger adults may place greater emphasis on emotional compatibility, financial stability, personal autonomy and relationship testing before marriage. Thornton et al. (2007) noted that family attitudes are transmitted across generations but are also modified as individuals encounter changing social environments. Where these differences are not understood, disagreement may arise over issues such as appropriate age for marriage, whether couples should live together before marriage, the importance of parental approval and the role of economic preparedness in deciding when to marry. Yet there is insufficient empirical evidence showing the extent to which these generational differences exist among urban populations in Enugu State.

The fourth problem is the limited availability of location-specific empirical research that simultaneously examines intergenerational differences, cohabitation and attitudes toward marriage among young adults in urban communities of Enugu State. Existing Nigerian studies have examined cohabitation among university students, while other research has investigated youth apathy toward marriage in Enugu Urban; however, these studies do not adequately establish how young adults’ attitudes compare with the expectations and attitudes of older generations within the same urban social environment (Nnubia et al., 2021; Mezie, 2026). Without such evidence, family counsellors, religious leaders, community organisations and policymakers may have difficulty understanding whether disagreements surrounding marriage and cohabitation represent individual differences or broader generational transformations. Therefore, this study seeks to fill this gap by examining intergenerational differences in attitudes toward cohabitation and marriage among young adults in selected urban communities in Enugu State.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The general purpose of this study is to examine intergenerational differences in attitudes toward cohabitation and marriage among young adults in selected urban communities in Enugu State.

Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. examine the attitudes of young adults toward marriage in selected urban communities in Enugu State;
2. determine the attitudes of young adults toward cohabitation;
3. examine differences between the attitudes of younger and older generations toward cohabitation;
4. determine whether socioeconomic factors influence young adults’ attitudes toward marriage;

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

1. What are the attitudes of young adults toward marriage in selected urban communities in Enugu State?
2. What are the attitudes of young adults toward cohabitation?
3. What differences exist between younger and older generations in their attitudes toward cohabitation?
4. To what extent do socioeconomic factors influence young adults’ attitudes toward marriage?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis will be tested at the 0.05 level of significance:

H₀: There is no significant relationship between intergenerational differences and young adults’ attitudes toward cohabitation and marriage in selected urban communities in Enugu State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will be significant to young adults, as it will provide a better understanding of the factors shaping contemporary attitudes toward marriage and cohabitation. By examining socioeconomic, cultural, religious and generational influences, the study may encourage young adults to critically assess their expectations concerning intimate relationships and family formation.

The study will also be significant to parents and families. The findings may help parents understand the changing perspectives of younger generations regarding marriage and cohabitation. This understanding may encourage constructive communication rather than conflict when families discuss courtship, marriage readiness and relationship choices.

Religious organisations and leaders may also benefit from the study. Since religious values continue to influence attitudes toward marriage and cohabitation in Nigeria, the findings may assist religious leaders in developing more relevant premarital counselling, relationship education and youth-focused programmes.

The study will be useful to marriage counsellors, social workers and family therapists because it may provide evidence concerning the sources of generational disagreement about marriage and cohabitation. Such information may assist professionals in developing counselling strategies that address differences in values, expectations and relationship experiences.

Community leaders and policymakers may use the findings to better understand changing family attitudes among urban young adults. This may be relevant to programmes involving youth development, reproductive health education, family welfare and relationship counselling.

Finally, the study will contribute to academic literature on marriage, cohabitation, youth studies, family sociology and intergenerational relations in Nigeria. It may provide a basis for future studies investigating changing family patterns in Enugu State and other urban communities in southeastern Nigeria.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study will focus on Intergenerational Differences in Attitudes toward Cohabitation and Marriage among Young Adults, with particular reference to selected urban communities in Enugu State, Nigeria.

The study will examine attitudes toward:

• formal marriage;
• timing of marriage;
• readiness for marriage;
• parental involvement in marriage decisions;
• cohabitation before marriage;
• perceived advantages and disadvantages of cohabitation;
• cultural expectations surrounding marriage;
• religious expectations concerning cohabitation;
• economic considerations; and
• changing generational expectations concerning intimate relationships.

The study will focus primarily on young adults while obtaining information necessary to establish differences between their attitudes and those of older generations. The geographical scope will be limited to selected urban communities in Enugu State and will not cover all communities in the state.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Attitude: An individual’s favourable, unfavourable or neutral evaluation, belief or disposition toward a particular issue, behaviour or social institution.

Cohabitation: A situation in which two unmarried adults who are in an intimate relationship live together in the same household.

Generational Difference: Differences in beliefs, values, expectations or behavioural orientations between people belonging to different age or social generations.

Intergenerational Differences: Variations in attitudes, beliefs and expectations between younger and older generations resulting from differences in socialisation and life experiences.

Marriage: A socially and legally recognised union between partners that establishes recognised rights, responsibilities and family relationships.

Marriage Attitude: An individual’s beliefs, perceptions, expectations and evaluations concerning the meaning, timing, desirability and responsibilities associated with marriage.

Young Adults: Persons in the transition between adolescence and established adulthood. For the purpose of this study, young adults will refer to persons within the age range specified by the researcher in the methodology.

Urban Community: A relatively densely populated settlement characterised by developed infrastructure, diverse occupations, social institutions and greater exposure to modern socioeconomic and cultural influences.

Religious Influence: The effect of religious beliefs, teachings, doctrines and practices on an individual’s attitudes and decisions concerning marriage and cohabitation.

Socioeconomic Factors: Economic and social conditions such as employment, income, education, housing and financial stability that may influence attitudes toward marriage and cohabitation.

1.9 Organisation of the Study

The study will be organised into five chapters.

Chapter One will present the introduction to the study, including the background to the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, research questions, research hypothesis, significance of the study, scope of the study, operational definitions of terms and organisation of the study.

Chapter Two will review relevant literature on marriage, cohabitation, young adults, intergenerational differences, cultural values, socioeconomic factors and changing family patterns. The chapter will also present the relevant theoretical framework and review related empirical studies.

Chapter Three will present the methodology of the study. It will discuss the research design, area of the study, population, sample size, sampling procedure, research instrument, validity and reliability of the instrument, method of data collection and method of data analysis.

Chapter Four will present, analyse and interpret the data obtained from respondents. The analysis will be organised around the research questions and the research hypothesis.

Chapter Five will provide the summary of findings, conclusion and recommendations. It will also present suggestions for further studies based on the findings and limitations of the research.

Project – Intergenerational Differences in Attitudes toward Cohabitation and Marriage among Young Adults: A Study of Selected Urban Communities in Enugu State