Transitioning out of cohabitation: the role of children

This study examines the role of children born within a union and from former unions in the relational transitions of cohabiting heterosexual couples in Chile. We use mixed methods, combining survival analysis (quantitative) and life history interviews (qualitative). Our results indicate that cohabiting unions with children born within the union have a higher likelihood of transitioning into marriage and a lower likelihood of dissolution. Unions in which one of the members has a child from a former union have a lower likelihood of transitioning into marriage and a higher likelihood of dissolution. Qualitative results point to the importance of children for couples to become a “family,” and the difficulties faced by blended families, including the role of stepparents.