Marriage isn’t just a piece of paper, is it?
The data from Gallup well-being surveys spanning 2009 to 2023 indicate a consistent trend: married individuals, particularly those between the ages of 25 and 50, tend to report higher levels of subjective well-being compared to their unmarried counterparts, including those who have never married or are divorced.
This pattern persists across various demographic groups, including gender and racial/ethnic backgrounds, and is not solely attributable to factors such as educational attainment or age.
One contributing factor to the higher well-being reported by married individuals appears to be the quality of their romantic relationships. Gallup research suggests that married couples, especially those living with children, are more likely to rate their relationships as strong and loving compared to those in other types of relationships, such as domestic partnerships or non-exclusive relationships. Additionally, married couples report fewer instances of being unable to communicate with their partners due to anger, indicating a lower frequency of conflict compared to unmarried couples.
Matrimony certainly has its benefits.
The positive association between marriage and well-being is further supported by the observation that married individuals are more likely to engage in religious practices, which are themselves correlated with higher levels of subjective well-being.
However, this association between marriage and well-being remains significant even among atheists or agnostics, suggesting that marriage itself plays a distinct role in influencing individuals’ overall life satisfaction.
Absolutely.
My Opinion: If someone doesn’t want to marry you, it’s for a significant reason. That doesn’t mean she/he doesn’t love you, but it does mean they’re not ready to settle down with you and take that big step at the moment. On the other hand, a happily married couple can better let their hair down, exhale, and get on with their lives. Of course, being in a bad marriage can be pure hell so it’s important not to take matrimony too lightly because what can help optimize you can also make you very miserable.
Several factors may contribute to the observed relationship between marriage and well-being. The institution of marriage, with its cultural, social, and legal implications, likely fosters behaviors and attitudes that contribute to greater life satisfaction. The commitment inherent in marriage may encourage individuals to invest more effort in developing and maintaining high-quality relationships, thereby enhancing their overall well-being.
Furthermore, marriage increases the likelihood of having children, and previous research indicates that married individuals tend to have better relationships with their children. Overall, the data suggest that marriage confers numerous benefits beyond simply companionship, contributing to higher levels of subjective well-being among married individuals in the United States.
Does this finding surprise you?
