Top 10 Reasons to Get Married

Author Maggie Gallagher (The Case for Marriage) spent time reviewing the scientific evidence on the benefits of marriage for adults and then had fun putting together a list of the top ten reasons to get married showing how marriage can make a difference in your life.

#10. Marriage is Safer. Marriage lowers one’s risk of becoming a victims of violence, including domestic violence. Roughly two-thirds of domestic violence crimes are committed by boyfriends, girlfriends or former spouses—not spouses.

#9. Marriage Can Save Your Life. Married people live longer and healthier lives.

#8. Marriage Can Save Your Kid’s Life. Children lead healthier, longer lives if parents get and remain married.

#7. You Will Earn More Money. Married men make as much as 40 percent more money than single men. Married women also achieve a salary boost but that declines if they become mothers.

#6. Married People Get Much Richer. Married people not only make more money, they manage money better and build more wealth.

# 5. There Is Less Risk of Cheating. Cohabiting women are eight times more likely to cheat than wives. Men who live with girlfriends are four times more likely to cheat on them than husbands are on their wives.

#4. You Won’t Go Bonkers. Married Americans are less depressed, less anxious, and less psychologically stressed than single, divorced, or widowed people.

#3. Marriage Will Make You Happy. Forty percent of married people, compared with 25 percent of unmarrieds, count themselves as happy.

#2. Your Kids Will Love You More. Adult children of married parents describe their relationships with parents more positively than those whose parents are divorced.

#1. Your Sex Life Will Be Better. Married people are more likely to report a satisfying sex life than are unmarrieds.

From the article “Why Marriage Is Good for You,” by Maggie Gallagher,
City Journal (Autumn, 2000).