It should be helpful to set the context for this debate before getting into the actual arguments. We begin by listening to what various couples and counselors are saying about the decision to cohabitate and its effect upon the institution of marriage.  Why are so many choosing the option of simply living together over that of marriage?  How effective is cohabitation in “trying things out” before the knot is actually tied?  The following videos all give short overviews of this popular news topic.  Look for the arguments and identify when a speaker is appealing to logic simply appealing to emotion.  Once you have watched these, we can move on to the two main views.