Different Perspectives on Living Together-Men and Women

Here's another example of how differently men and women think and feel from Michigan Alumnus magazine, spring 2011. The findings are based on research by sociologist Pamela Smock at U-M.

• "Love" was the reason for living together cited by women, "Sex" was the reason expressed most frequently by the men.
• Men saw the arrangement as a way to "test drive" a relationship while women saw it as a transitional arrangement preceding marriage.
• Women think that living together means commitment and legitimacy. Men see that it is a limitation on their freedom.

The more things change, the more things stay the same — all over again.