There is a popular phrase stating, “why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free”. Even though there is much implied humor in this phrase, the seriousness and validity of the whole concept is taken for granted in today’s society. In previous decades, things such as unmarried couples living together was barely heard of and definitely not spoken of. However, in this day and age many couples young and old alike live together, more commonly termed “shacking up”. Many students on campus have begun relationships that consisted of the getting to know each other phase. This initial phase usually involves casual visits, dates, and overnight stays. Yet, many of these students’ relationships have ultimately turned into a “shacking up” situation.
For the couple these living arrangements may not be a problem, but the roommate may feel otherwise. Most often the roommate of the happy couple feels that shacking up may cause conflict with them and ultimately become a problem. ” Although I am not in this situation, I think it will cause problems especially if the live in guest starts to be rude, messy, and even starts using and consuming the roommate’s things without permission which is always what ends up happening,” said sophomore Daniel McMurrray.
Other problems that shacking up entails are the obvious moral issues and the commitment issue. Whereas with marriage, there is a physical representation of emotional ties. It entitles the couple to not only a verbal commitment, but also a tangible and legally binding commitment.
University Housing sees shacking up as a problem. Curtis Ray, a University Village employee, stated ” The residents with live-in guests are many times given warnings to handle the problem and are told to not allow their guest to spend the night. If the resident allows it again and is caught, both the resident and guest will be kicked out.