Thinking of cohabitation (living together?) Here's a few myths to check out before making a decision.

Myth: "You'll save money!"

Fact: The average income for cohabitating couples is significantly lower than married couples

Myth: "You'll be safer!"

Fact: Many individuals, especially women, believe they will be safer with a live-in-partner that they would be oon their own. However, aggression is at least twice as likely to occur in cohabitation relationships as in marriage.

Myth: "You'll be happy!"

Fact: Annual depression cases for cohabitating individuals are three times the number of depression cases among married individuals

Myth: "You'll have better sex!"

Fact: Individuals who have sex before marriage report lower levels of sexual satisfaction in marriage than those who abstained until marriage.

Myth: "Great marriage guaranteed!"

Fact: 40% of live in couples never get married. Couples who cohabitate before marriage have a 50-100% chance of higher divorce rate than couples who do not cohabitate before marriage

Myth: "Your children will be safe!"

Fact: There is a significantly higher risk of sexual abuse and physical violence (including lethal violence) for children in cohabitating homes than for children in home with married parents.