Cohabitation is the practice of living together as a male-female couple in an intimate relationship without being legally married. This living arrangement has become increasingly common in many Western societies since the late 20th century. Cohabitation can occur for various reasons, including as a precursor to marriage, as an alternative to marriage, or as a trial period for a relationship. The legal rights and responsibilities of cohabiting couples are generally different from those of married couples, although some jurisdictions have laws in place to protect the rights of cohabiting partners, particularly after a certain period of time. The social acceptance of cohabitation has also grown significantly, and it is no longer viewed as negatively as it once was in many cultures.