Does Marriage Really Make People Happier?

"Marriage has long been an important social institution, but in recent decades western societies have experienced increases in cohabitation, before or instead of marriage, and increases in children born outside of marriage," said Dr Kelly Musick, Associate Professor of policy analysis and management at Cornell University's College of Human Ecology. "These changes have blurred the boundaries of marriage, leading to questions about what difference marriage makes in comparison to alternatives."

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"We found that differences between marriage and cohabitation tend to be small and dissipate after a honeymoon period. Also while married couples experienced health gains -- likely linked to the formal benefits of marriage such as shared healthcare plans -- cohabiting couples experienced greater gains in happiness and self-esteem. For some, cohabitation may come with fewer unwanted obligations than marriage and allow for more flexibility, autonomy, and personal growth" said Musick.
"Compared to most industrial countries America continues to value marriage above other family forms," concluded Musick. "However our research shows that marriage is by no means unique in promoting well-being and that other forms of romantic relationships can provide many of the same benefits."

As an advocate for marriage, I'd love to show that marriage has great benefits for the health and well being of the adults involved. That would make for a great political rallying cry to encourage more recognition of marriage to the very people it would benefit. However, this study doesn't show that. Come to think of it, we've covered a number of reports that say marriage is over-rated from the standpoint of adult happiness.

But is that really odd? I can just as easily point to a number of studies that show how beneficial marriage is above and beyond co-habitation for children. Leaving the merits of this study aside, it is clear to see that marriage's best value is seen in how it effects the environment the mother and father create together with the children they create together. Even when the benefits for adults who "have blurred the boundaries of marriage" are so unclear.

That isn't a conceit, how children play the central role in what defines marriage has been our message since our first post.

If someone is given a gift that they don't really like, it is not likely going to make them happy. The real success of a marriage, the happiness we get from marriage, must be rooted in a job well done. Its rooted in responsible procreation fulfilled. The fewer people get that message from the beginning, the fewer that will find the treasure at the end of the hard work.