Dear Banjo,

Another reason for cohabitation not always
leading to marriage could be that a
growing number of people are choosing to
remain single. This could be due to the
divorce rate - which is growing, as well as
the tendency for young adults to simply
postpone marriage.

According to the ABS, couples are now taking
their vows, on average, much later than they
did fifteen years ago. I had the
stats, but I've misplaced them.

For those who don't want children and don't see
marriage as a prerequisite for sexual experience,
married life may seem to offer few advantages.
In fact young people who live alone cite
freedom and independence as the main reasons for
their choice. It's also important to recognize
that remaining single is not necessarily a matter
of never having found the "right" partner; for many
people, it's a deliberate decision about a personal
lifestyle.