Jackson
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Nina Chen, Ph.D.
Human Development Specialist
Healthy marriages don't just benefit women and children, but also men. Several studies have indicated that married men are happier, healthier, and live longer than unmarried men. One of the reasons is their wife. Married women not only provide emotional support, but also physical care to their husband. For instance, they monitor their husband's health habits, encourage them to seek medical treatment when needed, and provide stable routines. This support and care can help reduce job absenteeism, sick days, and strengthen men's workforce attachment and performance. Married men tend to have more productive lives, work harder, and do better financially than unmarried men.
A recent research team from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston has confirmed that marriage improves people's quality of life and is also good for men. Researchers found widowers consumed greater amounts of alcohol and less vegetables after their wives died. When experiencing the loss of a wife or divorce, men have the tendency to increase alcohol consumption and tobacco. Smoking and heavy drinking can link to high levels of stress, low social support, and being alone.
Single men may be at greater risk of dying than smokers because they socialize more, work longer, often miss meals, and have no partner to make time for. Researchers found that divorced and widowed men who remarried improved their health. They ate more vegetables and lean poultry and consumed less alcohol and sugar drinks. Although they put on weight and exercised less, overall researchers believe marriage and remarriage can benefit men's health.
In addition, when a married man and his wife are faithful to each other, their sex is safer physically and emotionally. Finally, healthy marriages can give married men opportunities to build positive relationships and experience the joy of growing with their children. Research shows that men who have children after they marry are three times more likely to be involved in their children's lives than men whose children were born outside of marriage.
References:
Popenoe, D. & Whitehead, B. (2004). The marrying kind: Which men marry and why. Piscataway, NJ: The National Marriage Project, The State University of New Jersey.
Why Marriage Matters: Twenty-one conclusions from the social sciences. (2002). Center of the American Experiment, Coalition for Marriage, Family and Couples Education, and Institute for American Values.
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University of Missouri Extension Jackson County Jacksonblsp@missouri.edu Updated 12/13/06 |
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