SAC-Wk122 — Is Cohabiting called Marriage?

In my country nigeria men and women having sex and living together as become a habit thinking that it is a culture but in my own point of view, it is a bad habit and a senseless Sense

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If someone lives with a woman and bears children without paying her bride price, do we say they are couples or married?

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In Nigeria, when a man and woman live together and have children without paying the bride price, many people will not see them as married, in our culture, paying the bride price is very important to make a marriage fully official because without it, families and communities may not accept the union, even if the couple has children together Some may call may call them a couple but not husband and wife.
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What's your view on cohabiting? Is it a short cut to getting married?Are there advantages or disadvantages of cohabiting?

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Some people choose to live together before marriage to test their relationship which is called cohabitation, there are good and bad sides to this:
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‎The Good Sides*
‎Testing the relationship: By living together helps you know if you can stay with the person for life and also you will see how they handle money, work, and family matters and so issues, e t.c.
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‎Saving Money: Weddings can be expensive, getting to know each other first helps you save before doing a big ceremony.
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‎Less Pressure: You can take your time to know each other well before making a final decision.
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‎The Bad Sides:
‎Family May Not Agree: Many nigerian families and religious leaders do not support living together before marriage.
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‎No Legal Protection: If the relationship ends, the woman may not get anything, especially if the man did not pay bride price or register the marriage.
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‎Society may talk: Some people will look down on couples living together without marriage.
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Is it good to sexually test the person you want to marry before considering to marry them? What's your viewpoint?

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‎Some people believe that they should know if they are sexually compatible before getting married why others say no, why some say yes us that It helps avoid problems in the bedroom after marriage, It makes the relationship stronger if both are happy with their sex life.
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‎Why some say no because many religions and cultures say sex should only happen in marriage because It can bring shame or family problems if people find out and also If the test fails, it may break the relationship before marriage.
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‎My final advice about this relationship issues
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‎If you choose to live together before marriage make sure you both agree on your future plans.
‎Respect each other’s feelings and family opinions andIf possible, save money and do the right thing pay bride price or register the marriage to protect yourselves from issue.
‎Sex before marriage is avery bad idea and a personal choice, but think about your values, health, and future, the best relationships are built on trust, respect, and understanding not just living together or sex.

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