Family experts say the research should serve as a warning to women.
Psychologist Scott Stanley says, contrary to popular opinion, his research shows that most men who live with women before marriage are far less committed to the marriage than men who don't.
"What young people believe strongly these days is that it's the best way to prepare for marriage, and its not at all consistent with the data," said Stanley. He adds, that the data says a lot about men.
When talking about the level of dedication to marriage, men who cohabit before hand are less likely to: think of the couple as a team, to sacrifice for his wife, and to say, I want to be with you in the future.
Stanley, who is sharing his research at a "Smart Marriage" conference in Arlington says the other thing he learned was that cohabiting did not affect a woman's commitment. Which did not surprise his audience of family counselors, policy makers and educators.
ABC 7 took the findings to the streets of Washington and quickly learned that
the research is echoing what people have believed for years.
"From the stand point of the male, it's hard for them to commit," said Randy
Bellizan.
Stanley hopes his research will spark a change in behavior, if not, he says, many couples will continue to learn the hard way.
"If you feel like you have to drag him to the alter, it might not be the only place you drag him, the rest of your life, so think about it," Stanley said.
The new research will be published in the Journal of Family Values.
© Copyright 2002 WJLA-TV