Nearly half of all marriages in the US end in divorce. But that doesnÂ’t seem to stop us from looking for that perfect someone, that life partner, the one with whom weÂ’ll grow old.
In a new book, psychologist Mark O'Connell says despite the struggles and hardships of sticking it out, the benefits of staying together are worth it. Being married, he argues, gives us purpose and meaning and makes us become our best selves.
Listen to an On Point discussion about the upside of hanging in there for the long term.
WhatÂ’s been your marriage experience? Have you found that one person that helps you grow and change? Are you still looking for that someone? Have you had to decide whether to stay or go?
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Comments: 7
Luella
Hartford CT.
Contrary to what callers were saying about our culture telling us--hey, just get out of the marriage if it's too hard--I believe our culture tells us to stick with it and endure much more than is healthy for us.
Our society for the most part considers only physical assault to be abuse (and okay to leave a marriage THEN) and basically ignores emotional/spiritual abuse. So, if we're not hit, we should stay in the marriage? I think our society needs to broaden its perspective a bit. Sure, a good, healthy marriage is good for the soul, but an unhealthy, abusive one, is soul destroying.
Marriage is difficult, and takes a lot of hard work, of course. But I would not want to see a man or a woman enduring years of emotional abuse (thinking that they're just not trying hard enough) in order to get this elusive marriage benefit.
I highly recommend all of Patricia Evans' books, if anyone out there is questioning their marriage.