Shacking up before settling down

Common-law “situationships” are highly common in the West Indies; for many people it is expected in relationships that when a man and a woman are involved, moving in together is the next step.

But should a woman attribute wife status to a relationship that’s not legally binding?  Would you move in with your mate before marriage?

SR:

I would never move in with my man because I am a Christian and that would be going against what my Bible says. I also believe that once a man and a woman shacks up, it will always be a shack up lifestyle, so I am totally against it and if more women would actually stand up and say no to common-law relationships, we would have more marriages and healthy families.

Shantal:

I do not agree with it because I think once a woman moves in and provides wifely services, the man will not see the need to  make it official because he’s already getting his clothes washed and ironed, food prepared before him, and sex when he needs it. I am not about to give that to any man unless he marries me. Those are just my standards.

DJ:

I believe a man needs to know who he is getting with before he marries a woman. See mi and live wid mi are two different things, so a man needs to know. I say live first and decide after.

LC:

I see nothing wrong with it because I have lived with my now fiancé for four years and we are about to get married. It has been amazing so far. I wouldn’t change my situation at all. It just depends on the man you’ve got. If you’ve got a good one who loves you, he will ensure that you get a ring and that you feel honored and treasured.

Ramone:

I say live together and find out all the bad things before you go to the altar.