Trendy young urbanites aren't the only people opting to live together without marrying - many senior citizens are following suit, Shanghai Morning Post reports.

A growing number of older couples are living together without obtaining marriage certificates due to objections from their children, who argue that many problems involving bank accounts, housing and other properties will ensue if their parents remarry.

Some older people choose not to marry because of the high divorce rate among remarried couples.

A study conducted by the Jing'an District People's Court shows that the divorce rate among remarried older couples is as high as 50 per cent.

One older man said both parties in such relationships enjoy greater freedom and it was easier to separate if their feelings for each other died.

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