Negotiating 'marriage': Comparing same-sex and different-sex cohabiting couples

摘要: In an era of rising cohabitation rates, how and why do cohabitants decide to formalise their relationships when marriage appears offer minimal legal or social advantages? This article provides insights through the analysis fifty qualitative interviews with celebrants, long-term who have married entered a civil union plan so in near future. Participant comments from same-sex different-sex are compared, showing both similarities differences decision-making. These New Zealand-based reveal four decision-making pathways: traditional proposals, mutual agreements formalise, complex negotiations between partners, giving pressure. Our research previous studies suggest that most couples make public commitment celebrate relationship but decision 'marry' is not always equally valued by partners. addition, tend receive mixed reactions they announce family friends, many fear 'second coming out'. contributes sociological debates about current relevance formalisation for couples, symbolic nature 'marriage'.