Michael and Shawn are cohabitating. They love each other, but sociological research predicts that, when they do marry, they will face a higher risk of divorce. Sociologists believe this is because they:

Societal pressures of being an openly gay couple. Also their families for one of them being accepting and loving the relationship. The other family for Shawn is super religious and in horrified by the relationship for being immoral and are always trying to interfere and destroy the relationship. They are always causing trouble. Shawn basically has to choose between his family or his marriage.