By Shanta Sih
This is not the kind of brotherly, sisterly, or friendly cohabitation; it is the one that comes with benefits, whatever benefits that maybe, proponents say it is the best way of life for a university student.
Usually, the practice has its set of pros and cons. Proponents hold that cohabitation is all about sharing expenses, seeing each other every day, and getting acquainted with each other’s habits.
Others say it might sound exciting initially, but it is not easy for every couple to enjoy such moments. At the same time, after living together for a considerable period before marriage, a formal marriage’s significance might be lost for you, they said.
The state of living together for an extended period as if you are married is best known as cohabitation. The practice of cohabitation among students in private and state universities in Buea is rampant.
“It is quite sad that instead of these students (referring to females) to focus on their studies, making good grades, they spend more time deciding and moving in with their partners, a commentator said.
It is believed that majority of Hostels around school premises or even far in Buea harbor such couples. Apart from fighting over their partners, some get so jealous as if they are already married but the sad reality is that after graduation very few will remain together.
A Secondary school teacher, Pauline Ngasa, thinks that many of such relationships end up in tears, “Sadly most of their parents are not aware of what they do and still send their rents and upkeep monies not knowing they are semi-married. This cohabitation has become so normal to students worst is this Molyko, And most of them don’t even end up in marriage.”
Meanwhile, Caretakers are the real people who can narrate this phenomenon, some are just tired of seeing young couples in their Hostels “I still really cannot understand why these young people instead of focusing on their future, living apart before marriage, decide to live together as a couple,” a Molyko hostel Caretaker, Tega Francis, lamented.
But does this have an advantage?
Many respondents told CNA that it improves your sex life
“Since you get more time to spend together, you have more time to explore and experiment in the bedroom. You can get as creative as you want as you have all the time in the world to have fun with your partner. This has been proven to be one of the strongest reasons why we have so many unwanted pregnancies and abortions, they are young and scared of having babies but they still want to explore life”
Another said it saves a lot of money “Cohabitation means sharing rent and utilities. Since you are more likely to eat at home, you save a lot on expensive dates and outings. If you have a vehicle, you save on fuel as you can travel together.”
Experts say cohabitation may just make marriage seem unimportant. This is a huge disadvantage of living together as students before marriage. It may delay your marriage plans. You may become complacent and see no need to get married when you already live like one. In case things don’t work out, then you have already lost a lot of time dilly-dallying and have nothing to gain from the relationship. And many couples who cohabited most likely never end up together or rather start making babies without ever marrying.
