Cohabitation in Latin America and Developed Countries: A Cross-National Perspective
Maira Covre-Sussai

Abstract
This study explores the contextual framework of cohabitation in Latin America and developed countries. Integrated Public Use Micro data Series (IPUMS), European Social Survey (ESS) and the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) data are used to compare the macro-level associations of cohabitation practiced by women from different social backgrounds in up to 33 countries. Figures for cohabiting women aged 25-29 from different social classes are compared to country-level’s socioeconomic indicators (i.e. human development and social inequality) and values orientations (from World Values Surveys) of women with similar profiles. Results show that cohabitation by higher educated women usually occurs in positive socioeconomic contexts, in groups with inclination to post-materialistic ethics and can be described by the Second Demographic Transition theory. Conversely, cohabitation by lower educated women comes about in environments of lower socioeconomic development and higher social inequality, with predominance of traditional values and intolerance to out groups.

Full Text: PDF