Marriage is a public promise to stay together for life. Two people getting married promise — in front of their families
and communities, often their religious communities — that they're going to form a new unit, that they will work together
for the good of the unit, for each other's good, for the good of any children they might have, for their larger family and
for their community. People around this unit recognize the bond and support it.
Being married, or, staying married, or, being in a long term committed partnership, can significantly increase your
chances of longevity. For people who don't choose to get married, or can't get married (due to societal restrictions
against their civil rights, which still exist in many places for homosexuals), having a public declaration of a commitment
to a partner can have an important, meaningful impact on two people's lives together.
Furthermore, not only living longer, but living better can be a result of staying in a partnership. In a large longitudinal
study that sheds new light on the association between marital status and happiness, researchers have found that
people get a boost in life satisfaction from marriage. Married adults are generally healthier than unmarried (i.e, in that
study, single) adults. Psychologist Janet Shibley Hyde, PhD, stated that "There's nothing quite so good as a good
marriage, and there's nothing quite so bad as a bad marriage."
(return to previous page...Relationships)
and communities, often their religious communities — that they're going to form a new unit, that they will work together
for the good of the unit, for each other's good, for the good of any children they might have, for their larger family and
for their community. People around this unit recognize the bond and support it.
Being married, or, staying married, or, being in a long term committed partnership, can significantly increase your
chances of longevity. For people who don't choose to get married, or can't get married (due to societal restrictions
against their civil rights, which still exist in many places for homosexuals), having a public declaration of a commitment
to a partner can have an important, meaningful impact on two people's lives together.
Furthermore, not only living longer, but living better can be a result of staying in a partnership. In a large longitudinal
study that sheds new light on the association between marital status and happiness, researchers have found that
people get a boost in life satisfaction from marriage. Married adults are generally healthier than unmarried (i.e, in that
study, single) adults. Psychologist Janet Shibley Hyde, PhD, stated that "There's nothing quite so good as a good
marriage, and there's nothing quite so bad as a bad marriage."
(return to previous page...Relationships)
Stay Hitched
The benefits of a Good Partnership
The benefits of a Good Partnership
from Living Older, Living Better! by Katrina Gwinn, MD
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