Does getting married really make you happier, more socially integrated into society than those aloof singles. Are you better off in regards to being physically, emotionally and inter-personally healthier. The debate continues if it’s more advantageous to get hitched, or to enjoy the benefits of remaining single.
What can’t be ignored are those who are single, clinically, they’re a lot more mindful and aware of themselves than those who are married.
There are the obvious pro’s and con’s of either or, as there’s no simple, one-size-fits-all answer to whether it’s better to enjoy the freedom of a life with no commitments, or to adopt responsibility.
Traditionally, what studies show is there’s more support to the claim getting married and remaining married wins out, but analytically, it doesn’t pass the scientific muster.
Most results are skewed in that those who are married, appears to be doing better than they actually are, while singles are thought to be social outcasts, who are unable to find a mate.
It’s perceived singles are failures in life, because they fail to prolong the human race and more importantly their family name if they remain childless, especially for males.
The Good And The Bad
There are studies which support those who choose to remain single, has a higher awareness of their well being. They’re generally more emotionally and mindfully stronger and independent.
What it comes down to, is it depends on why you choose to be single. Are you too shy, too weird, or you just want to be left alone and evaluate.
For some who were single for a while and then got married, and remained married, they realized they’re not any happier than when they were single.
Some who gets married then divorces, are usually less happier once they are single. What getting married also doesn’t do, is guarantee it’ll last.
Lifelong singles do better than married people in a variety of ways, they’re not given credit for.
For instance, they’ll do more to maintain contact with their friends, neighbors, siblings, parents, and coworkers than those who are married.
Singles volunteer and help others more, such as their aging parents who needs help, where most who are married can’t find the time.
Singles experience more autonomy while having more determination, while seeking more personal growth and development.
The Stats Don’t Lie
In the 1970’s, there were 39% percent of the population who were single, while the latest census shows there are now 54%+ percent of adults over 19, who chooses to be single.
There are growing arguments that single people are more independent, happier, while living more intense diverse meaningful lives.
In the past, the belief was that getting married was preferred, to be mentally healthier and socially expected and accepted.
Obviously, times are changing.
So Which Is More Preferred
This isn’t saying being single is winning out, although there is mounting evidence to the contrary, that single people are experiencing more fulfilling lives than their married counterparts.
There’s also evidence which proves married people are much better off, but this more from a traditional standpoint than a scientific one.
What’s steering more favorable in the modern world we live in, is it’s now better to remain single and become independent, and not surrender to the security of being married.
Having to spend your entire life with the same person, year after year, decade after decade can prove mundane and at times torturous, especially if there’s little compatibility.
Different Thinking Patterns
What’s known is those who are married, and those who choose to remain single for a variety of reasons or circumstances, have different perspectives.
There are many who gets married just for the sake of getting married, as they feel better since it feeds their self-esteem, all their friends are tying the knot, so they make it a priority to fit in.
For those who are coerced into marriage, especially those who are “single at heart,” are the ones who strays and has extramarital affairs, or gets divorced often.
Pro’s And Con’s It’s Either Or
The key is what makes you happy. What’s known is some will make it a priority and fulfill their dreams by getting married, while those who impulsively gets married, will soon regret it.
There are others who lives their best, most authentic lives which are meaningful and fulfilling, by choosing to remain lifelong single.
Perhaps for some, choosing to live the single life is preferred during certain times in their lives, during discovery or recovery, where being coupled or married is better at other times in their lives.
What’s known is those who become widowed, who had good marriages and had absolutely no regrets about the years they’ve spent being married, find themselves at a crossroad.
They now suddenly find themselves single and alone, and some embrace their newly found freedom of being single, and never want to get married again.
Living Life To It’s Fullest
The world is becoming more singular, where “me, myself and I” is becoming more prominent and mainstream.
When single, the odds increases we can live our lives to our fullest potential, by not being held back.
This remains true for everyone, whether married, single or if stuck somewhere in between.
What everyone seeks is independence and happiness.
For Better Or For Worse
One thing for certain is those who are married, are usually protected better economically and financially.
If one partner happens to face difficulties, their spouse can and would support them, this in the event of job loss or ill health.
What’s also obvious, is that married couples benefit from the “economies of scale,” where singles cannot. They’re able to split the rent or mortgage, utilities, and the other household expenses.
Those who are married with children are gifted with a variety of government benefits, and financial protection.
The Tradition That Is Marriage
Marriage, in contemporary society, allows couples to fortify and align their beliefs, such as the psychological, emotional, social, political, and cultural ones.
More often, the lives of those who are married, are more valued, recognized and celebrated, where those who are single, their lives are at times marginalized or even mocked.
Major annual rituals such as the holidays like Christmas and birthdays for singles, can be a time of feeling alone and sad.
What results is even if singles may experience greater freedom and happiness, they do so against the grain.
What single people carry however is more resilience, which is an admirable human trait, which isn’t recognized or acknowledged enough.
Those who are married at times look at their single friends in awe, as they crave the freedom, while at times singles feel loneliness as they watch their siblings nieces or nephews grow up.