Married people live longer
By ybong007
@ybong007 (6643)
Philippines
November 19, 2009 10:24pm CST
I found this article on line, I posted this in one of the discussions in a similar topic. But it seems that is a very good discussion for all. Please read the article and comment if you agree with the findings or not. Cheers!
MARRIED PEOPLE LIVE LONGER
A new study finds that people who have never married have the highest risk of death in the United States, contrasting with other studies that have found the highest risk in divorced, separated or widowed populations. There are many reasons married people tend to be healthier, not the least of which is they tend to be wealthier. Published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, the new study finds that, compared with married people, people who are widowed are 40 percent more likely to die, people who are divorced or separated are 27 percent more likely to die, and people who have never married were 58 percent more likely to die. Authors believe that social isolation in never-married people may play a role in increasing their relative risk. However big these differences in death risk sound, they are actually quite small compared with some other more important factors. For example, people in their 50s are more than 1,500 percent more likely to die compared with people in their early 20s.
1 person likes this
12 responses
@abhikmjmdr (779)
• India
20 Nov 09
I think the social institution of marriage came about from the physical and intellectual dependence of a man for a woman and vice versa. I know a lot of people would say marriage is not necessary to be happy in life, but after a certain age one likes to have shoulders to lean on If they are the shoulders of a long standing partner you feel that bit more comfortable. This probably constitutes mental peace and happiness and to longevity as well.So longer life is a natural extension of happy married life.
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
20 Nov 09
You got a nice point there. When you're married you have someone to share your problems with. And it makes it easier to handle. Its also good to know that you have your better half to lean upon when you'r down and the other way around. As the saying goes "A problem shared is a problem halved". Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
@nitinshukla (278)
• United Kingdom
20 Nov 09
"Humans are social animals".The fact that we have a more developed brain and higher set of emotional needs differentiates us from other animals.Companionship forms an important part of our psychological needs.The concept of prisons came into being when people realized that the worst punishment that can be given to a human is not physical torture but to abandon him in isolation.Could we agree more?All of us want to be loved,to be cared for and marriage is a social setup to achieve that.Yes,you heard me right-its not merely getting society's approval for procreation,it has got far more meaning attached to it.As for me,I am still a bachelor,but if I were to go by the above mentioned study.......I'd surely do something about it soon.
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
23 Nov 09
I agree. being social animals we tend give more importance to carimf for others tand to be taken care of in return. Which is basically what marriage is for, its a partnership where a couple will take care of each other. In the process, you will feel secure in each other's company. In connection to your being a bachelor, I suggest you enjoy it first, dont' get married just because statistics says so. Your still young so enjoy your freedom. Cheers!
@hagirl (1295)
• United States
20 Nov 09
I could agree with that aspect.... I believe (this is with average or great marriages) that you could live longer.... The reasons I believe that happiness in general makes you live longer and loneliness is one of our biggest killers leading to health problems such as heart, depression, etc... I think when you have a happy marriage you are fulfilled emotional, psychologically, and medically. I guess that goes along with the saying " A happy home is a healthy home"
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
20 Nov 09
I agree, a married persons life is just so different if you compare it with when you are single. I experienced it when my wife and kids went for a vacation, i was happy to live alone in a fews days since I can do everything i want without the noise the kids make when they're around. After a week, loneliness started to set in and on the third week I can't stand it no more that i have to cut their 1 month vacation off to 3 three weeks. A married life can be troublesome at times, but when you are happy it is well worth it. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
@Godmother (476)
• Indonesia
20 Nov 09
I guess when you are married with the one you love, you have a reason for staying alive. Especially when you have children, of course you will take better care of your health. People who doesn't have anybody to share life with, may live without a care in the world, and when they have problems, it eats them out and they become prone to illness. But I don't think that loneliness is the main cause, even though it plays an important role in life.
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
20 Nov 09
I do agree with you. Being married and having all those responsibilities are more than enough motivation to live longer. Personally, I can't bear the thought of dying with my kids still depending on me. Dying is not option at the moment LOL. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
20 Nov 09
I think when you're married you reach another level in your life that only married people can understand. Adding to the fact that a married persons life is more colorful, in a sense that everything is on up another level, financial problems, marital problems, problem with the kids, the list just go on and on. and I guess a married person has more deeper understanding of what life that the single ones. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
@theonehush (959)
• Philippines
20 Nov 09
bong "kababayan!" lol.. interesting topic.. i have read the article and i guess one of the reasons that single people die earlier coz of their vices. know why? married people seldom have vices anymore since they want to set good example to their children. and of course they live a good life and gain success over the years that is why probably married couples live longer. :)
cheers buddy!
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
20 Nov 09
Well I am married. And for the most part VERY happy. So this is good news to me. I hope to grow really old with my hubby. Long live us married old fogeys!
@sweetyethot (1737)
• China
20 Nov 09
I read something like that before.And I think I can agree with the findings.People live a better life if their marriage are satisfactory,and married people get more help,thus decrease their risks of danger.All that can totally make sense.So,for the sake of our longevity,let's get married!lol
@getbrowser (1708)
• China
20 Nov 09
According to some surveies, married men can live longer, but there is very little difference between the life span of married women and unmarried women.
Living in such a society, it is obvious that men have to face various difficulities and troubles, so, when men get married, then they can experience less stress due to intimacy with their wives than single men and eat better because, generally speaking their wives cook more balanced meals for them leading to a healthier body. Of course, I think married women can enjoy a better life than people who are not married.
In total, I believe that married people can live longer compared to unmarried people.
@CathyLee2009 (429)
• China
23 Nov 09
hi,ybong!
I do believe married people live longer.and I believe the advantage of marrige is more obvious on men than women.
because a woman can support herself still can live a good life by herself,but nor a man with a good salary.men tend to pay little attention to their diets.If no one prepare meals for them ,they often prefer to eat something casually or nothing at all.if no one do laundries for them,they might wear dirty clothes over and over .I know men are intellegent and strong,being able to do a lots of important and difficult works,but I just cannot figure out why they cannot attend themselves.
so if a man want to live a more comfortable and longer life,he'd better to marry a wife.I think.:)
have a nice day!
@tictac213 (118)
• United States
20 Nov 09
Well! those married people who think they are living longer than singles is because for them each passing day is just like a century long ;)
@ShadowCatt (15)
• Malawi
23 Nov 09
Hello ybong
That is in fact true but it relates to men. Married men live longer than single men while single women live longer than married women. The study showed that married women of today are a lot more stressed out than single women as they have to juggle both careers and being housewife as because of economic crisis families are being forced to depend on two incomes.
