Not entirely true. I have lived with my partner for over 16 years and I have friends who have lived with them just as long or longer. No problems - we just don't want to get married. Feelings are mutual about marriage on both sides. Most of my so-called married friends who had never lived with their partners before marriage are either divorced or are on that path. It depends on the relationship and the compatablity of the couple themselves.
I detest articles like this from both sides of the spectrum because they are slanted. IMHO, it is no one's business if someone wants to live together without marriage. Being married instead of living together first does not guarantee a happy marriage. You might just find out that you cannot stand to live together.
After what my son has gone through, I would recommend living together because in his case they would never have gotten married. It has been a total disaster. I was perfectly happy to have them living together as one of his friends said because it wouldn't last two months but her parents stepped in and they got married instead. Not working out but fortunately there are no kids.
Should you ever choose to leave her, one can only imagine the emotional fallout experienced.
Yours is an exception to the rule, but "live-in" girlfriends tend to be frightened of what might happen should the man suddenly decide to "move on."
To many women, it is like walking around on eggshells.
I've been with my 'partner' (no, not same sex) for 7 years. We are both divorced, have seperate properties, seperate checking accounts and also own property together and have joint checking accounts. We feel this works for us. We are individuals who share our life together. We have children from a previous marraige, and one together. The religious would tell me I am damaging my children, blah blah blah. It works for us and we have a strong relationship. One day we might get married, then again, maybe not.