Although married couples are less likely to separate than live-in couples, marriage is not the reason behind this phenomenon, claims IFS, an influential UK think-tank.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies said that those who marry are simply more likely to be older, better educated and wealthier than those who have babies out of wedlock.
On the other hand, couples living together tend to be younger and less well off, with fewer educational qualifications, and are less likely to have planned their pregnancy.
The claim is aimed at the Government's objective of preventing family breakdown by promoting marriage.
"The evidence suggests that much of the difference in relationship stability between married and cohabiting parents is due to pre-existing differences between the kinds of people who get married before they have children, compared to those that cohabit," The Telegraph quoted Ellen Greaves, research economist at the IFS, as saying.
"While married couples have more stable relationships than couples who cohabit, this is not because they are married, but because of the other characteristics they have that lead to marriage," concluded the report.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies said that those who marry are simply more likely to be older, better educated and wealthier than those who have babies out of wedlock.
On the other hand, couples living together tend to be younger and less well off, with fewer educational qualifications, and are less likely to have planned their pregnancy.
The claim is aimed at the Government's objective of preventing family breakdown by promoting marriage.
"The evidence suggests that much of the difference in relationship stability between married and cohabiting parents is due to pre-existing differences between the kinds of people who get married before they have children, compared to those that cohabit," The Telegraph quoted Ellen Greaves, research economist at the IFS, as saying.
"While married couples have more stable relationships than couples who cohabit, this is not because they are married, but because of the other characteristics they have that lead to marriage," concluded the report.
