Michelle, you sure do talk a lot about marriage! But there are so many people I know who get divorced, cheated on-the idea of marriage leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Why should I even think of getting married?
I’m so glad you asked!
In Defense of Marriage
According to a report released last month by the Pew Research Center, found 25 percent of millennials are likely to never be married. A report released in 2013 by Bowling Green State University’s National Center for Marriage and Family Research found that the U.S. marriage rate is 31.1, compared to the much higher rate in 1920, at 92.3.
Many young folks my age are choosing to either put it off altogether, or opt for a cohabitation situation. But doing so causes those to miss out on the wonderful benefits of marriage!
Benefits of Marriage
1. Health Benefits
A huge survey of 127,545 American adults found that married men are healthier than men who were never married or those who are divorced or widowed. Also, the longer the man stays married the longer he lives generally.
Another study found marriage, among other factors, was linked to a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
A large, long-running study called the General Social Survey found that married people reported the most overall happiness, second was the cohabitating group reporting somewhat less happiness, and singles who’ve never married or lived with someone being the least satisfied of all. Speaking of cohabitation, the same study found that cohabitation doesn’t deliver the same levels of happiness, trust and well-being that marriage brings.
Furthermore, those who consider their spouse or partner to be their best friend get about twice as much life satisfaction from marriage as other married people
2. Wealth Benefits
According to a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, married men are earning much more money, on average, than everyone else in America.
Married people can protect their wealth for their children. Under federal tax laws, you can leave any amount of money to a spouse without generating estate tax.
A married taxpayer without paid employment, however, may contribute to an IRA using joint income.
Married women work significantly less hours than single women, and save $1 million more in a lifetime compared to single women. By combining resources and splitting costs, married people have the edge on all kinds of day-to-day expenses like gas, food, rent, utilities, and car payments.
3. Future Kiddos
Marriage can provide stability for children. A researcher at the Pew Research Center found “children are more likely to thrive in stable families and [a] married family is overall more stable for children than a cohabiting family.”
“It’s not Good for man to Be Alone”
God spoke those words in the beginning, and He is still right today! This post isn’t to make anyone feel bad or anything, I wanted to state the facts. And while marriage has the potential to be amazing, I know there are many people in the world who don’t have an amazing marriage. My heart goes out to them. But for those considering marriage or for those who’ve written marriage off altogether. Please think again. Marriage can be the best relationship you have with another human being. Of course, being a human relationship, you can have your ups and downs, but there is nothing like having a spouse who can support you, push you to be better, and commit their lives to you.
Blessings,
M/M
P.S.
Check out these resources below for more info!
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theatlantic.com/amp/article/267043/
https://www.bgsu.edu/news/2013/07/marriage-rate-lowest-in-a-century.html
The Mustard Seed Wife 