particular, there is no duty of mutual support and, on the breakdown of the relationship, there are no special provisions for maintenance of one cohabitant by another, or for adjusting their rights in property. Such matters are therefore governed by the general law. 292. It is argued that treating cohabitants as if they were married may have major disadvantages. The two commonly cited are that it would (a) undermine marriage, and (b) limit choice, i.e. people may not marry because they do not wish to incur the rights and obligations which marriage entails. 293. Arguably, in a society where there is a general freedom to marry and where, in the absence of marriage, parties may reach enforceable agreements about financial and property arrangements both during the period of cohabitation and after it breaks down, imposing the rules ancillary to marriage on those who are not married would be an unnecessary and undesirable restriction in individual freedom. That is not to say, however, that there may not be particular problems relating to cohabitation which the law may need to address individually. 294. The Law Reform (Husband and Wife) (Scotland) Act 1984 abolished a number of obsolete and discriminatory legal actions and rules in Scottish law. The Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 made fresh provision in the law of Scotland regarding aliment and financial provision on divorce, in particular requiring that financial provision for a spouse on divorce should involve fair sharing of property, fair account of economic advantage or disadvantage derived by either spouse in the marriage, recognition of the burden of child care, Adjustment to independence and prevention of serious financial hardship. Article 24 lUiremill >5. In 1984 following the recommendation of the Social Services Committee of u roiJ-° 8 ranffin. review of public child care law in 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing legal aspects related to cohabitation and marriage, specifically in Scotland. It mentions laws and regulations regarding property, maintenance, and financial provision, which suggests that the topic is related to economic and social aspects of human life.

**Category**
Education, Employment, Health