What term refers to the sharing of a household by an unmarried couple?

• A. Single person household
• B. Gay or lesbian family
• C. Matrifocal family
• D. Cohabitation

Answer: (D)

Cohabitation describes the sharing of a home by an unmarried couple. It refers to two people in a committed relationship who live together without being legally married, and it can involve heterosexual or same‑sex couples. In sociology, cohabitation is treated as a distinct household form alongside married couple households and single‑person households, and it can be a temporary arrangement or a long‑term one. The other options don’t fit this idea: a single person household is someone living alone; a gay or lesbian family points to a family unit formed by same‑sex partners or members but not specifically about living together as an unmarried couple; a matrifocal family centers on the mother’s role in the household rather than the couple’s marital status.