Many men (and women) have cold feet about committing to marriage or a long-term partnership. The men worry about turning into pot-bellied suburban dads taking out the trash and cleaning vomit-stained minivan backseats. They may fear that they’ll envy their single friends and miss out on trips to Las Vegas. And then there’s the supposedly gathering data suggesting that testosterone declines after parenthood. Is marriage effectively the end of manhood?
Hold on, guys: What does the data actually say? Just the opposite!
Marriage benefits men—and more so than it does women—in numerous different ways.
Research shows that happily married men:
- Are healthier overall.
- Live longer—in fact, one study showed that having a partner in middle age is protective against premature death.
- Show improved cancer outcomes.
- Have better heart health.
- Are less likely to engage in risky or unlawful behavior.
- … and even have stronger bones.
