To have a partner and to start a family: this is the goal and / or the desire of a large number of people in the world. The idea of marrying a stable partner is seen as socially normative, as if it were a universal aspiration shared by all human beings. In fact, staying single has been a source of ridicule and derision for many centuries.
However, in today's society, many people advocate staying single, proclaiming that you don't have to share your life with a partner to be happy and that it means great benefits and a longer life. free. And with that comes the contentious debate over which is better: Marriage or single life? We then examine some aspects of this interesting question.
A complex question
Solving the question that gives a name to this article is not simple. First of all, we are talking about something very subjective: being able to get different answers depending on who you are talking to. Everyone has very different values, beliefs and needs.
Secondly, it is necessary to take into account the fact of being single or married It may not depend on the will of the person one: there are many single people, not because they want to be, but because they cannot find who they can stop being, even if they want to with all their might, or because they cannot afford to coexist with a partner. It is also possible to find in different cultures cases of marriages in which their spouses were forced to become husbands, which represents a serious loss for them.
Finally, as to whether it is better to be single or married, why should there be one option that is clearly better than the other? The truth is that both options have their pros and cons, so determining which is better largely depends on the goals that each person has raised as vital goals. We present below the positive and negative aspects presented by each of the options.
Arguments in favor of marriage
We present below some of the ideas reflected by the statistics in the comparison between single and married. In the case of married people, we find that the statistics show a series of advantages over single people.
A longer life
One of the best-known arguments in favor of marriage in litigation is that it is better to be single or married is that On average, married people tend to live longer (about three concretely) than women. singles.
This information has been confirmed in various surveys. However, we must bear in mind that this effect does not necessarily have to be a consequence of the marriage itself, perhaps for many other reasons and it is even possible that people are not healthier because they marry, but that people in better health tend to marry.
Stability: having a steady support frame
Although family of origin and friends provide excellent social support, married people enjoy a point of support more than sharing much of their lives with them. As long as we're talking about a healthy, well-connected relationship, having a partner is a stress protector. Although in turn can be the source, depending on the relationship maintained between its components.
Either way, marriage also serves to regularize time and establish predictable routines which, while they may become monotonous over time, can serve as support in times of stress.
Better prognosis for heart disease
Especially in the case of women, it has been detected that in married people there are more chances of surviving heart problems, as well as other types of serious diseases.
It is a source of brain stimulation
With age, human beings tend to reduce contact with other people outside their closest circle. In this context, the existence of a couple supposes a cognitive stimulation that acts as a protective factor against diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Greater amount of total economic resources
Being two at home economically allows having a greater amount of capital, which in turn implies a greater possibility of obtaining the desired goods or services such as rent or buying a house.
Social rights and privileges
Although today's society is dynamic and fluid, it is still configured on the assumption that citizens will tend to marry. There are then a series of social, cultural and even legal and economic benefits designed for married couples that single people cannot benefit from or those who have more difficult access (help, adoptions, etc.).
You may also want to read : Why Get Married? 5 Good Reasons
Marriage: Elements Against
However, the comparison with single people also established the presence of a series of disadvantages of marriage.
It can be a source of stress
Although, as we have said, the couple is a protective factor against stress, it can be a source of it depending on the situation in which it finds itself. Conflicting relationships or prolonged problems can aggravate a person's state of stress, tension and frustration. It all depends on the dynamics that occur in the relationship.
The social circle tends to shrink
Although this does not happen in all cases and nowadays this tendency has diminished, there is traditionally a certain predisposition that married people have the obligations and the time devoted to the couple in the case of married people, this causes a gradual distancing from the usual social circle, limiting socialization to the closest circle and common friendships. On the other hand, the relationship with the latter tends to be deeper.
They tend to make life more sedentary and less healthy
Statistically, it has been proven that having a stable partner is correlated with a decrease in the level of physical exercise carried out and the interest in maintaining the figure (thereby reducing healthy behavior), as well as a tendency to give up.
Less personal autonomy
Sharing your life with someone forces you to consider how our actions may affect the other person. In this sense, his desires and desires must be reflected in order to maintain a common project, which can delay or modify some of them.
The advantages of a single life
On the other hand, the life of a single person also reflects a series of advantages compared to people who have entered into marriage, advantages that we present below.
Greater physical activity and health
It has been shown that, on average, single people tend to practice a much higher level of sport, which, in addition to maintaining their physical shape, protects their health. In fact, single people have a lower number of cardiovascular diseases, although their survival rate is lower. Likewise, they have been shown to generally have more stable and regular sleep cycles, sleeping better than married couples.
Greater autonomy
Singles or bachelors have more free time and a lot more choice because you don't have to stop and think about what another person wants when you have a stable relationship. Thus, the what, how, when and with whom to do something can be chosen more easily, without having to negotiate with anyone. It also implies that there is a greater possibility of pursuing individual personal goals.
Economic independence
It is possible that married people, benefiting from the financial support of the other, have more capital. However, being in pairs implies the investment of a large part in common elements. Singles are however in this sense more independent, being able to distribute your money as you wish without having to negotiate on what.
Live a more heterogeneous life
Married people generally lead more regular and stable lives, with more set routines. However, singles they have more free time and can afford a greater amount of diverse experiences without having to plan them too early (beyond what other obligations require). They can travel, play sports or devote themselves to their hobbies without having to explain anything to anyone.
Greater ability to socialize
Although living as a couple doesn't eliminate socialization, single people are generally more willing to form new relationships, get to know more people, and expand their social circle. Also It is easier to maintain ties with friends and acquaintances, not focusing their attention on the couple.
Facilitates the exercise of resilience
Not having someone next to you to rely on in times of need can be devastating. However, forces the person to show resilience in a much more powerful way than before someone with such support.
Disadvantages of being single
As for married people, being single is also a series of disadvantages that we have below.
Lower level of stability and support
As mentioned above, having a partner helps to maintain a regular and relatively stable life, by helping to focus efforts on specific points. Singles tend to have a higher level of freedom, but don't enjoy such a stable and relatively safe environment.
Having a stable partner and/or being married means having frequent contact with someone in whom, in principle, you can support yourself in times of need. While family and friends can also be a powerful support, singles don't take advantage of that extra reinforcement.
A healthier behavior, but at the same time more risky
Although they are more likely to play sports and are generally more interested in themselves, single people tend to engage in riskier behaviors. The consumption of tobacco and drugs is more frequent, as well as the practice of high-risk sports or the practice of risky sexual relations.
Worse prognosis in recovery from serious illnesses
It has been shown that loneliness, especially when it is involuntary, tends to be linked to a lower survival rate or recovery from serious conditions such as cardiovascular disease.
Socially, they are less taken into account
The company is structured around the concept of couple and family. Singles will find that many institutions offer different options and benefits that they cannot access, or they find it more complex to do so.
Final thoughts
The final conclusion from the question that prompted this article is that each of the options has short and long term pros and cons, depending on each person's answer to the question, personality, values and her desires and the kind of relationships she has throughout her life.
Likewise, the data we have reflected in the article is data extracted from different statistics, indicating only the general trends. All married or single men do not experience their marital status in the same way, so the elements cited are not true.
further read : 12 Things to Do 2 Weeks Before the Wedding