Marriage Myths according to Discovery Health (97 days)

By David Popenoe

#10

Myth: Because of the high divorce rate, which weeds out the unhappy marriages, people who stay married have happier marriages than people did in the past when everyone stuck it out, no matter how bad the marriage.

Fact: According to what people have reported in several large national surveys, the general level of happiness in marriages has not increased and probably has declined slightly. Some studies have found in recent marriages, compared to those of 20 or 30 years ago, significantly more work-related stress, more marital conflict and less marital interaction.

makes sense. probably thought that because people give up when things are getting "hard". Though, it doesn't mean that there aren't unhappy marriages.

#9

Myth: Cohabitation is just like marriage, but without "the piece of paper."

Fact: Cohabitation typically does not bring the benefits — in physical health, wealth and emotional well being — 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 well-being of their partner.

I dunno if I agree with this. I think if you move in together too soon, then yeah. But I'm sooooo worried about C's well being. And he's worried about me too. We're constantly looking forward to OUR future and/or ambitions.

#8

Myth: Married people have less satisfying sex lives, and less sex, than single people.

Fact: According to a large-scale national study, 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.

well that's a relief! hahaha.

#7 

Myth: Marrying puts a woman at greater risk of domestic violence than if she remains single.

Fact: Contrary to the proposition that for men "a marriage license is a hitting license," a large body of research shows that being unmarried — and especially living with a man outside of marriage — is associated with a considerably higher risk of domestic violence for women. One reason for this finding is that married women may significantly under report domestic violence. Further, women are less likely to marry and more likely to divorce a man who is violent. Yet it is probably also the case that married men are less likely to commit domestic violence because they are more invested in their wives' well-being, and more integrated into the extended family and community. These social forces seem to help check men's violent behavior.

WHAAAT? Sometimes people are stupid. People really think this? Yeah, it can happen anywhere, but I don't think it's always by surprise. There's some signs that can be seen before it happens. Anger, lying, etc. Just make sure you're prepared to do what's necessary to keep you and whoever else involved safe.

#6

Myth: People can't be expected to stay in a marriage for a lifetime as they did in the past because we live so much longer today.

Fact: Unless our comparison goes back a hundred years, there is no basis for this belief. The enormous increase in longevity is due mainly to a steep reduction in infant mortality. And while adults today can expect to live a little longer than their grandparents, they also marry at a later age. The life span of a typical, divorce-free marriage, therefore, has not changed much in the past 50 years. Also, many couples call it quits long before they get to a significant anniversary: Half of all divorces take place by the seventh year of a marriage.

never thought it...

#5 

Myth: Couples who live together before marriage, and are thus able to test how well suited they are for each other, have more satisfying and longer-lasting marriages than couples who do not.

Fact: Many studies have found that those who live together before marriage have less satisfying marriages and a considerably higher chance of eventually breaking up. One reason is that people who cohabit may be more skittish of commitment and more likely to call it quits when problems arise. But in addition, the very act of living together may lead to attitudes that make happy marriages more difficult. The findings of one recent study, for example, suggest "there may be less motivation for cohabiting partners to develop their conflict resolution and support skills." (One important exception: Cohabiting couples who are already planning to marry each other in the near future have just as good a chance at staying together as couples who don't live together before marriage).

I think I don't believe in the myth or the fact because of the exception... I don't think there's a benefit to either or really. It's circumstantial. What if two people really don't want to get married, but they care and love someone just as much if not more as other married people... There's been so many times in C & my life where the personalities above would have broken up... but we didn't. I honestly don't think attitudes like ours will be affected by being married vs. not. Though the automatic respect that comes with being married vs. "shacking up" will ease any additional anger, but not by much....

#4

Myth: The more educated a woman becomes, the lower are her chances of getting married.

Fact: A recent study based on marriage rates in the mid-1990s concluded that today's women college graduates are more likely to marry than their non-college peers, despite their older age at first marriage. This is a change from the past, when women with more education were less likely to marry.

another "people are crazy" moment.

#3

Myth: The keys to long-term marital success are good luck and romantic love.

Fact: Rather than luck and love, the most common reasons couples give for their long-term marital success are commitment and companionship. They define their marriage as a creation that has taken hard work, dedication and commitment (to each other and to the institution of marriage). The happiest couples are friends who share lives and are compatible in interests and values.

pretty sure this thought-line is the main reason for so many divorces.

#2

Myth: Having children typically brings a married couple closer together and increases marital happiness.

Fact: Many studies have shown that the arrival of the first baby commonly has the effect of pushing the mother and father farther apart, and bringing stress to the marriage. However, couples with children have a slightly lower rate of divorce than childless couples.

stupid stupid stupid!!! Ah! People! having kids will not bring you together!!! Especially if you're not already close. Don't get pregnant if you're on the edge of the D line. Or if you're "afraid you're losing him". And it's best not to get pregnant until you're ready. I'm sorry, but if you're not financially able to care for your kid, it doesn't matter how much love you can give it... it won't put food in its stomach or warm water to bathe in. Once you have a kid, it's no longer about you. It's their chance to conquer the world. You've either conquered what you wanted before-hand, or you're giving up your right to conquer. You have to be selfless. Think to yourself: what if I get my lucky break? or what if I want to do this? can I accomplish all my goals and dreams with a child expecting everything from me?

In the words of Mike Birbiglia, you really shouldn't have kids until "there's nothing else good that can happen in [your] life". I won't be having kids ANY time soon (at least not on purpose) because I am way to selfish to give them what they need. If we do have kids before then, well, then that's where I lost my chance to conquer. It's their turn now.

And if you're not expecting stress.... then you're an idiot. Change it if you don't wanna be called an idiot... Especially if you're both working because you didn't properly prepare for and/or protect against kids.

#1

Myth: Marriage benefits men much more than women.

Fact: Contrary to earlier and widely publicized reports, recent research finds men and women to benefit about equally from marriage, although in different ways. 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.

hahaha.... hahahaha.... I'm sorry.. but these myths are kinda dumb. They show the level of education people get about adult issues. Marriage isn't natural for either gender (though there are always exceptions based on personality, etc). It is more beneficial for a woman to get married than a man. I have a feeling that most bachelors, even if that their whole life, will still get their health and well being taken care of by their mothers, sisters, aunts, etc if need be. Or they can do it themselves. Women are still expected to "marry off" and often times don't get better paying jobs or as high of education. I'm personally not complaining... Call it laziness, but I don't want to go to school for x amount of years to work at a boring job. Men are more likely to do that than women. It's the whole women vs men battle... Women live in the now (more emotional and spontaneous), men plan ahead (more logical and slow moving). 

That's a whole different topic though. 

Thanks guys! hahaha

:D