| There are many good things about being married but, | | | | social life and much of that social life involves being |
| because each marriage is different, it is likely that not | | | | with your children. Until, that is, they grow and start |
| everyone has yet discovered them all. Being married is | | | | building their own social lives. |
| generally regarded as being a positive thing and with | | | | Longer Life. Well certainly for men. Studies have |
| good reason. That is not to say that being single is in | | | | shown that married men tend to live longer than single |
| any way wrong but it does suggest that being married | | | | men. It seems that marriage has a stabilising influence |
| has certain benefits and advantages over being single. | | | | upon men, resulting in less stress and more |
| So just what are the best things about being married? | | | | opportunities to relieve stress and gain pleasure. It |
| Companionship. In a marriage there is always someone | | | | seems that even a 'bad' marriage is better for men |
| to talk to or to listen to you. Sometimes, of course, | | | | than being single; I guess even a 'bad' marriage is not |
| your spouse might not be 'really' listening to you but it is | | | | 'bad' all the time! |
| still more satisfying than talking to yourself. It is good to | | | | Less Stressful Child-rearing. Stress seems almost |
| have someone there to have a conversation, to | | | | inevitable when it comes to raising children. Although |
| bounce ideas of or to have a witty exchange of | | | | many single parents do raise children successfully, it |
| remarks. Companionship also offers support and can | | | | seems the stress is less when the tasks are shared |
| be particularly important at times of trouble or stress. | | | | with a partner. |
| At such times, having a partner has distinct | | | | So there you have four of the best things about being |
| advantages over being single. | | | | married. Each marriage is, of course, different, so you |
| Social Life. Simply by having a partner with you, you | | | | may well find other advantages in your marriage. Do |
| can have a social life that is not so readily or easily | | | | you appreciate those advantages, though, do you |
| available for singletons. You can visit places together, | | | | realise the benefits your partner brings to you? The |
| visit friends or holiday together. For the single person, | | | | chances are that you do not, or at least you do not |
| that is far more difficult as often modern social life is | | | | realise fully the advantages in your marriage. Take a |
| geared around 'couples' and the single person can | | | | little time to think and reflect then try writing down, or |
| often feel left out or sometimes, simply not invited. At | | | | telling your partner, the good things about your |
| times, perhaps, having children might seem to impede | | | | marriage. |
| your social life but, really, it just brings a change in your | | | | |