Top Ten Reasons You Should Get Married Benefits Of Marriage

Is marriage necessary these days? Why should anyone consider marriage? Is marriage old fashioned and outdated? Here are a list of reasons why you should marry.

I’ve seen discussions in some forums talking about whether or not marriage is important or necessary anymore. Why should a person even consider it these days? Women are now self sufficient why do they need men? Men now know how to cook and keep house why do they need women?

It’s easy for young people to ask these questions especially those who came from broken homes seeing only bad that can come from marriage. Part of the problem is people’s views on marriage and what it really is. It’s not a prison sentence set out to control anyone. It’s a life long commitment to the person you love and want to be with the rest of your life. Not everyone finds that special someone but many of us have.

Believe it or not there are many very good reasons to get married and I thought I’d mention a few.

1) Two can live cheaper than one.

Roommates share some things but married people share even more.

Sharing a house, utilities, insurance, transportation, furniture, a bed and bedroom, appliances and other assets can save a couple a lot of money.

Filing your taxes jointly saves you a lot. You can’t do that if you are only living together. There are tax breaks for married people helping you keep more of your own money.

Couples that live together but aren't married often keep their money separate collecting interest individually so they don't see the same benefits as married couples.

Young men think getting married is expensive and having a wife will cost too much but studies show that it is more expensive for a man to be single. He has to wine, dine and entertain women hoping to get lucky. Attached guys go home to their wives and don't have to buy them a trinket or take them out all the time to get physical affection.

2) Insurance

Some states let you put another person on as a dependent whether you are married or not, but most will not. Companies give a break on your premiums for a spouse, which can save you a lot of money.

Some companies make you prove any children outside of marriage are yours before allowing you to add them on your account and some won't acknowledge any offspring born out of wedlock.

3) Stability for children

If you don’t plan to have kids this may not be a big deal but unless you practice several methods of contraception or are celibate there is always a chance of getting pregnant or getting someone else pregnant.

Kids need to have one place to call home; being shuffled back and forth between houses is disruptive. I know many families do this successfully but having one room to call their own and knowing where they will be each and everyday is a much better arrangement.

4) Hospital stay

Some states and hospitals will only let spouses and sometimes close family in the room during serious medical situations like the intensive care unit or recovery room. If your significant other has been in a car accident or is dying you may not be allowed in the room unless you are married.

Men's health

Married men live longer than single men. There is a lot of speculation on this one from nurturing, to wives making sure they go to the doctor. I make sure my husband eats healthy so perhaps diet also has something to do with it. Single men are more apt to eat junk food and not go to the doctor.

Studies have shown that single men are more prone to alcoholism and drug abuse. Maybe a wife makes sure married men take better care of themselves or perhaps single guys are depressed. There's also the opinion that married men have more of a reason to stay off the bad stuff since he has a family to take care of.

In old age spouses take care of each other. Sure you can have a roommate but they won’t notice a spot on your back or other intimate parts of your body like a husband or wife will. Married people see little subtle differences in behavior and health others don’t see.

Women's health

Although women tend to make less money when married and she has the added housework, laundry and other responsibilities, women are less depressed and happier when married.

Females have an inborn need to take care of others and having a family gives her a feeling of purpose. Granted there are bad marriages in which a woman is not mentally healthy but overall women gain more benefits from monogamy than being single.

6) Assets-

People who are married automatically inherit any property belonging to their spouse.

Unmarried people only inherit things listed in a specific will. Unless you keep an updated will at all times your assets will go to your next of kin whether you want them to have it or not. (If you keep a will it must be notarized and depending on your state laws may have to be written by a lawyer to be valid.)

Leaving a house or money to a person who is not your spouse will cost them a huge tax penalty. The government looks at a spouse as already owning those things so there is no transfer tax but if you leave assets to a friend a big percentage of it goes to Uncle Sam.

Check with your state laws to learn the details but overall most married people don't even need a will to insure their assets go to their spouse.

7) Sexually Transmitted Diseases

I realize some husbands and wives cheat and can still bring home an STD but in most cases this does not occur.

I have dozens of friends and out of all of them only three have had spouses that stepped out on them. There are too many things you can catch that will change your life or even end it. Being with the same person every night gives peace of mind.

8) Healthy love life

When polled married men were more satisfied and enjoyed more frequency than single guys.

Women didn't show a noticeable different in satisfaction but married women felt more comfortable when having conjugal relations.

Knowing your partner's every move, needs and desires makes for a happier love life.

9) Stability

I talked about a child feeling more secure knowing where they will be each night; it is equally comforting for an adult knowing whom you will sleep with and feeling relaxed since they’ve seen every scar and blemish before.

The uncertainty of dating can be tiring and stressful always trying to impress another person. I’m not saying you don’t have to try with your husband or wife because you certainly do, but you can let your hair down, take your make up off and put on your comfy clothes without worrying about not looking good enough all the time.

Some think sleeping with the same person every night will get boring and old. That can happen but mostly people enjoy the familiarity of knowing a person’s likes and dislikes. You know your spouse’s wants and where all the “on” buttons are. With a new person you have to figure it out each time.

There is comfort in familiarity.

10) Home is where your spouse is.

There is a familiarity and warmth you feel with your marriage partner you don’t feel with anyone else. They are your family, your friend and your other half. Without them you don’t feel complete. Seeing their face, feeling their arms and breathing in their scent feels like home no matter where you are.

I’ve known military men who didn’t feel settled until his wife moved house, home and children to where he was stationed. The minute he walked in the door he felt at home even though he’d never been there before simply because his wife was there.