In Support of Marriage

Call me romantic but despite it being 10 years since I separated from my ex husband and having no intentions of remarrying in the near future I am a great believer in marriage. There is nothing wrong with cohabitation, it just isn't the same thing. The Top Ten Myths of Marriage by Warren R. Shiell of Los Angeles Divorce and Family Law outlines some of the reasons why.

"Both men and women live longer, happier, healthier and wealthier lives when they are married. Husbands typically gain greater health benefits while wives gain greater financial advantages"

"Many studies have found that those who live together before marriage have less satisfying marriages and a considerably higher chance of eventually breaking up."

"..... there may be less motivation for cohabiting partners to develop their conflict resolution and support skills."

"married people have both more and better sex than do their unmarried counterparts. Not only do they have sex more often but they enjoy it more, both physically and emotionally."

"Cohabitation typically does not bring the benefits—in physical health, wealth, and emotional wellbeing—that marriage does. In terms of these benefits cohabitants in the United States more closely resemble singles than married couples. This is due, in part, to the fact that cohabitants tend not to be as committed as married couples, and they are more oriented toward their own personal autonomy and less to the wellbeing of their partner."

Thanks to John Bolch of Family Lore Focus for providing the link to this post.