cohabitation yes or no

Write a one-page paper on the following topic:

Your close friends, Alex and Meredith, have been dating for nearly two years. They have talked about marriage for several months but wonder if they should test their relationship and get used to living together first. The couple has come to you for advice. Using research in the text to support your answer, what would you tell Alex and Meredith about cohabitation? Based on the available research, would you recommend that the couple proceed with a trial marriage? Why or why not?