THE IMPACT OF RATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS AND PERCEIVED OPINIONS ON YOUNG-ADULTS UNION FORMATION INTENTIONS

This article examines thr extent to which thr plans of young adults co ncerning the choice between cohabitation and marriage are influenced b y a rational evaluation of the differences between marriage and cohabi tation and by the perceived opinions of significant others, and the ex tent to which these evaluations mediate the effects of young adults' f amily backgrounds and current social positions. Among a representative sample of young adults in the Netherlands, it is found that evaluatio ns and perceived opinions are quite strong predictors of union formati on intentions. However, perceived opinions of significant others are b etter predictors than evaluations of the inherent properties of cohabi tation and marriage. Furthermore, the effects of family background and social status variables on union formation intentions are almost comp letely mediated by these subjective evaluations. The implications for the discussion of whether union formation choices are rational decisio ns or based on cultural scripts are discussed.