Three Reasons You Should Consider Marriage
Have you ever thought about marriage in your current relationship?
In a society where cohabitation is increasingly common, some couples question the need for marriage, thinking they don’t need a grand ceremony to validate their love. However, marriage extends far beyond the wedding day, offering numerous benefits. Research indicates that married individuals tend to live longer, have more stable relationships, earn higher incomes, and experience greater happiness compared to those who cohabit.
While some advantages may stem from shared values among those inclined to marry—like a strong emphasis on family or religious commitments—marriage still provides many direct benefits.
Financial and Legal Benefits
Married individuals, regardless of gender, often achieve greater career success and higher earnings. This isn’t just a coincidence; marriage brings tangible financial benefits. For instance:
- Tax Savings: Married couples can file jointly, potentially lowering their income tax.
- Insurance Benefits: Spouses are often eligible for family health insurance plans, reducing healthcare costs.
- Leave Entitlements: Many companies offer family leave for caring for an ill spouse or bereavement leave, benefits that might not be available for unmarried partners.
- Retirement and Estate Planning: Social security, retirement accounts, and estate laws often provide for a surviving spouse, and joint tax filers can contribute to a spouse’s IRA, enhancing retirement savings.
- Legal Protections: Marriage confers next-of-kin status for medical decisions and hospital visits, the ability to sue for wrongful death, and spousal privilege, protecting one spouse from being compelled to testify against the other.
Emotional Benefits
Marriage represents a deeper level of commitment than cohabitation, providing a greater sense of security. Statistically, marriages are more likely to last than other types of relationships. This stability is beneficial not only for the couple but also for their children, who tend to thrive in a family with married parents.
Married individuals often enjoy greater emotional stability, better equipped to handle life’s challenges and less prone to depression. The constant support from a life partner—someone to share struggles, celebrate successes, enjoy leisure activities, and relax with—contributes significantly to happiness. Studies also show that married couples experience higher levels of emotional and physical intimacy.
Spiritual Benefits
For Christians, marriage carries profound spiritual significance. It aligns with God’s plan for the family, as outlined in Genesis 2: “It is not good for the man to be alone…Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife.” The New Testament also uses marriage as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and the church, symbolizing sacrificial love and submission.
By honoring marriage, believers honor God, fostering spiritual growth and deeper intimacy with Him. Marriage is part of God’s design for family and intimacy, and living within His plan enhances spiritual well-being.
If you have doubts about marriage or your current relationship, our trained advocates are here to help. Call (636) 464-4505 or schedule an appointment online for more information.
Read more about the benefits of marriage from Forbes. For a detailed study on the benefits of marriage, check out the American Values report.