 As individuals move through emerging adulthood, they are more likely to engage in monogamous sexual relationships and practice safe sex.Across most OECD countries, marriage rates are falling, the age at first marriage is rising, and cohabitation among unmarried couples is increasing.The Western European marriage pattern has traditionally been characterised by marriage in the mid twenties, especially for women, with a generally small age difference between the spouses, a significant proportion of women who remain unmarried, and the establishment of a neolocal household after the couple has married.