Consensual unions and their dissolution among Finnish women born in 1938-1969
Abstract
The article presents some emprical data on the development of consensual unions in Finland, with emphasis on pattern of entering these unions as well as their dissolution. The main source has been a survey conducted in 1989 which, for the first time, gives an opportunity to get a profound overview of the typical features of the life cycle of those cohabiting without marriage. In the survey about 4 000 women aged 22—51 years were interviewed. The article starts with an overview on the development and the present situation of consensual union as a form of cohabiting. Then it deals with the age at entering first consensual union and with the frequency of consensual unions ending in marriage. Even data on the children born in consensual unions is presented. Lastly, the dissolution pattern among consensual unions is elucidated by the authors.
