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Now here's today's news, discerned differently.

For the first time in our history, more Americans have lived with a romantic partner than

have married one.

According to Pew Research Center's new study, the number of those who have ever married

has fallen from 60% in 2002 to 50% today, while the number who have cohabited without being married has grown from

54% to 59%. The study also reports that 69% of Americans say it is acceptable for a couple to live

together, even if they don't plan to get married. 16% agree with cohabiting if the couple plans to marry.

Only 14% of us believe that it is never acceptable

for a couple to live together before marriage.

Here's the irony.

The more that Americans grow to accept cohabiting,

the more we learn how detrimental such a lifestyle can be for those who practice it.

One reason many couples decide to live together is to test their relationship to see if they should

marry. However, according to a Barnagroup study, cited by the Institute for Family Studies,

couples who are testing their relationship

experience higher levels of depressive symptoms, abandonment anxiety, and negative interaction.

The IFS concludes that if you are considering whether or not to move in with someone to test the

relationship, it's likely not the wisest thing to do. The Pew study reports

that married adults are more likely than cohabiting couples to trust their partner to be faithful to

them, act in their best interests, always tell them the truth, and handle money responsibly. They are

...