While the Health of the Nation targets include reducing teenage pregnancies alongside reduction of smoking-related illness, advising abstinence from sex is much less 'politically correct' than abstinence from cigarettes. However, we have a responsibility to be aware of current trends and the social and health consequences of individual choices. This report, by a Baptist pastor and a public health doctor, provides a resource for those who have long suspected that cohabitation is not a reliable way to assess the likelihood of a successful marriage.

Some of the damages and negative consequences of cohabitation are highlighted and backed up by numbers, charts and references. These include increased divorce rates compared with those who did not cohabit, higher rates of smoking and infant mortality, higher abortion rates and a lesser commitment to faithfulness to the partner when compared with married couples.

The authors set out God's plan for marriage and extend an invitation to a 'better way', urging those who cohabit to 're-examine their relationship in the light of Biblical truth'.

The information should help us to commend marriage to those around us. The report ends with the reminder of forgiveness and a note of hope, and has certainly given me food for thought.

Reviewed by
Liz Walker
(GP, Southall)