What is the view on cohabiting in southern Europe?

Cohabiting in southern Europe is viewed as taboo during emerging adulthood primarily due to cultural, religious, and societal norms prevalent in the region. Many southern European countries, such as Italy, Spain, and Greece, have strong familial ties and traditional values that often emphasize marriage as an essential institution for a committed relationship. Cohabitation outside of marriage can be viewed as undermining these values, leading to societal stigma against those who choose this arrangement, especially among younger individuals in the emerging adulthood stage.

This cultural backdrop indicates that many young adults may feel pressure to conform to traditional paths, such as getting married rather than cohabiting. Therefore, the prevailing viewpoint tends to be conservative, making cohabitation less acceptable during this life stage compared to other regions where cohabiting is more normalized and accepted.