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effects.of.marriage.on.couples.relationships [2015/09/23 14:52]
marri2 [2. Sexual Experience]
effects.of.marriage.on.couples.relationships [2022/03/23 16:14] (current)
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 +==========Effects of Marriage on Couple's Relationship==========
  
 +=====1. Happiness=====
 +
 +Those who marry experience increased commitment and stability.((Daniel Lees, “The Psychological Benefits of Marriage,” //Research Note// (2007): 1-4. Available at [[http://www.maxim.org.nz/file/pdf/psychological_benefits_of_marriage.pdf]]. Accessed 27 July 2011.)) Men raised in married families have more open, affectionate, and cooperative relationships with the women to whom they are attracted to than do those from divorced families.((Silvio Silvestri, “Marital Instability in Men From Intact and Divorced Families: Interpersonal Behavior, Cognitions and Intimacy,” //Journal of Divorce and Remarriage// 18, (1992): 79-108.
 + \\ G.K. Rhoades, et al. "Parents' Marital Status, Conflict, and Role Modeling: Links with Adult Romantic Relationship Quality," //Journal of Divorce & Remarriage// 53, no. 5 (2012): 358.)) Correspondingly, married mothers report more love and intimacy in their romantic/spousal relationships than [[cohabitation.and.future.marital.stability|cohabiting]] or single mothers.((S.R. Aronson and A.C. Huston, “The Mother-Infant Relationship in Single, Cohabiting, and Married Families: A Case for Marriage?” //Journal of Family Psychology// 18, no. 1 (2004): 5-18. As cited by The Heritage Foundation: Family Facts. Available at [[http://www.familyfacts.org/search?q=huston%20and%20aronson&type=findings&page=1]]. Accessed 1 September 2011.)) Those [[effect_of_divorce_on_children_s_future_relationships|raised in married families]] have higher expectations of eventually marrying,((Wendy D. Manning, “The Changing Institution of Marriage: Adolescents’ Expectation to Cohabit and to Marry,” //Journal of Marriage and Family// 69, no. 3 (2007): 559-575. As cited by The Heritage Foundation: Family Facts. Available at [[http://www.familyfacts.org/briefs/22/navigating-the-winding-road-how-family-and-religion-influence-teen-and-young-adult-outcomes]]. Accessed 20 July 2011)) and a larger fraction of those from intact families than non-intact families are happy in their marriages.((Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, “Intergenerational Links to Marital Happiness: Family Structure.” Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-31-33-159.pdf]]. Accessed 1 September 2011)) Similarly, a lower percentage of those raised in intact families divorce.((Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, “Divorce or Separation: Family Structure in Adolescence.” Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-61-63-169.pdf]]. Accessed 22 September 2011.
 +\\ Jay D. Teachman, “Childhood Living Arrangements and the Intergenerational Transmission of Divorce,” //Journal of Marriage and Family// 64, (2002): 717–729. As cited by The Heritage Foundation: Family Facts. Available at [[http://www.familyfacts.org/briefs/39/family-environment-and-childrens-prospects-for-marriage]]. Accessed 20 July 2011.)) 
 +
 +Daughters raised in intact families are less likely to say they do not plan to have children than daughters living with divorced or remarried mothers.((Bonnie Barber, Jacquelynne S. Eccles, Lisa J. Colarossi, and Michael F. Schrecker, “The Impact of Family Structure on Gender-Role Attitudes of Adolescents and Their Mothers,” University of Michigan Paper 1989, funded by Grant HD17296 from National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (paper presented at biennial meeting of Society for Research in Child Development, Kansas City, Missouri, April 1989): 6. Available at [[http://www.rcgd.isr.umich.edu/garp/articles/eccles89.pdf]]. Accessed 5 December 2011.)) In contrast, cohabiting couples enjoy diminished relational happiness and fairness and increased relational disagreement and violence, relative to married couples. When duration of cohabitation was factored in, cohabitation’s effect became nonsignificant, but increased duration of cohabitation worsened happiness, disagreement, and violence.((Susan Brown and Alan Booth, “Cohabitation versus Marriage: A Comparison of Relationship Quality,” //Journal of Marriage and the Family// 58, no. 3 (1996): 674. 
 +\\ Larry Bumpass, James Sweet, and Andrew Cherlin, “The Role of Cohabitation in Declining Rates of Marriage,” //Journal of Marriage and the Family// 53, no. 4 (1991): 923. 
 +\\ Scott Stanley, Sarah Whitton, and Howard Markham, “Maybe I Do: Interpersonal Commitment and Premarital or Nonmarital Cohabitation,” //Journal of Family Issues// 25, no. 4 (2004): 507-508.))
 +
 +====1.1 Related American Demographics====
 +
 +A larger fraction of those in always-intact marriages report that being married is very important to them, compared to those who are divorced, single, or remarried (although these may also regard marriage as important).((This chart draws on data collected by the General Social Survey, 1972-2006. From 1972 to 1993, the sample size averaged 1,500 each year. No GSS was conducted in 1979, 1981, or 1992. Since 1994, the GSS has been conducted only in even-numbered years and uses two samples per GSS that total approximately 3,000. In 2006, a third sample was added for a total sample size of 4,510. \\ Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, “‘The Personal Importance of Being Married’ by Marital Status.” Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-82-84-176.pdf]]. Accessed 1 September 2011.)) (See [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-82-84-176.pdf|Chart]]) 
 +
 +[[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-82-84-176.pdf|{{ :personal_importance_of_being_married_by_marital_status.jpg?500 |"The Personal Importance of Being Married" by Marital Status}}]]
 +
 +The 2002 cycle of the National Survey of Family Growth showed that among adults aged 38 to 44, staying in one’s first and only marriage is most common among those raised in an intact married family.((This age band was selected because tracking family structure is difficult, but the arrangement of the family is more settled [in aggregate, on a national level] around ages 38 to 44 \\ Patrick F. Fagan and Paul Sullins, "'Currently in First (Only) Marriage' by Structure of Family of Origin and religious Upbringing," Mapping America Project. Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-135.pdf]])) (See [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-135.pdf| Chart]] Below)
 + 
 +[[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-135.pdf|{{ :currently_in_first_only_marriage_by_family_structure_of_origin.jpg?500 |Percentage Currently in First (Only) Marriage}}]]
 +
 +=====2. Sexual Experience=====
 +
 +Studies show that married men and women report the most sexual pleasure and fulfillment.((Robert T. Michael, et al., //Sex in America: A Definitive Survey// (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1994), 124-129 
 +\\ Edward O. Laumann, et al., //The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States// (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1994), 364, table 10.5
 +\\ Andrew Greeley, //Faithful Attraction: Discovering Intimacy, Love and Fidelity in American Marriage// (New York: Tom Doherty Association, 1991), chapter 6. As cited in G.T. Stanton, “Why Marriage Matters.” Available at [[http://www.ampartnership.org/resourcecenter/news/89-why-marriage-matters.html]]. Accessed 27 July 2011.
 +\\ D.M. Busby, J.S. Carroll, and B.J. Willoughby, "Compatibility or Restraint? The Effects of Sexual Timing on Marriage Relationships," //Journal of Family Psychology// 24, no. 6 (2010): 766, 772.)) Married men and women report having more enjoyable sexual intercourse more often,((Linda J. Waite and Maggie Gallagher, //The Case for Marriage: Why Married People are Happier, Healthier, and Better off Financially//(New York: Broadway Books, 2000). As cited by Richard Niolon.)) and married couples find their sexual relationship more satisfying than cohabiters do.((Danny G. Blanchflower and Andrew J. Oswald, “Money, Sex and Happiness: An Empirical Study,” //Scandinavian Journal of Economics// 106, no. 3 (2006). As cited in D. Lees, “The Psychological Benefits of Marriage,” //Research Note// (2007): 1-4. Available at [[http://www.maxim.org.nz/files/pdf/psychological_benefits_of_marriage.pdf]]. Accessed 27 July 2011.)) 
 +
 +====2.1 Related American Demographics====
 +
 +The National Health and Social Life Survey shows that those in always-intact marriages were most likely (91.3 percent) to report feeling thrilled and excited during intercourse with their current sexual partner, followed by those who were divorced and remarried (88.9 percent), those who were always single (82.7 percent), and those who were divorced or separated (81.8 percent). ((Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, "Feels Thrilled, Excited During Intercourse with Current Sexual Partner," Mapping America Project. Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-116.pdf]])) (See [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-116.pdf|Chart]] Below)
 +
 +[[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-116.pdf|{{ :feels_thrilled_excited_during_intercourse_by_marital_status.jpg?500 |Percentage Who Feel Thrilled, Excited During Intercourse with Current Sexual Partner}}]]
 +
 +A larger fraction of individuals in intact marriages than always-single, divorced or separated, or divorced and remarried persons report “very, extremely” enjoying intercourse with their current sexual partner.((Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, “Degree to Which Respondent Enjoys Intercourse with Current Sexual Partner by Current Religious Attendance and Marital Status.” Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-124.pdf]]. Accessed 19 December 2013.)) Likewise, a larger fraction of individuals in intact marriages than always-single, divorced or separated, or divorced and remarried persons report feeling satisfied,((Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, “‘Feels Satisfied During Intercourse with Current Sexual Partner’ by Current Religious Attendance and Marital Status,” Mapping America Project. Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-127.pdf]]. Accessed 19 December 2013.)) (See [[http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF13I38.pdf| Chart]] Below) loved,((Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, “‘Feels Loved During Intercourse with Current Sexual Partner’ by Current Religious Attendance and Marital Status,” Mapping America Project. Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-125.pdf]]. Accessed 19 December 2013.)) “taken care of,”((Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, “‘Feels “Taken Care of” During Intercourse with Current Sexual Partner’ by Current Religious Attendance and Marital Status,” Mapping America Project. Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-119.pdf]]. Accessed 19 December 2013.)) and thrilled or excited((Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, “‘Feels Thrilled, Excited During Intercourse with Current Sexual Partner’ by Current Religious Attendance and Marital Status,” Mapping America Project. Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-116.pdf]]. Accessed 19 December 2013.)) during intercourse with their current sexual partner. Those in always-intact marriages were most likely to report feeling wanted and needed during intercourse (92 percent).((Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, "“Feels Wanted, Needed During Intercourse” with Current Sexual Partner by Marital Status and Religious Attendance," Mapping America Project. Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-128.pdf]])) These feelings are less prevalent in non-intact family structures and among singles. 
 +
 +[[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-127.pdf|{{ :feels_satisfied_during_intercourse_by_marital_status.jpg?500 |Percentage Who Feel Satisfied During Intercourse with Current Sexual Partner}}]]
 +
 +Correspondingly, a smaller fraction of individuals in intact marriages than always-single, divorced or separated, or divorced and remarried persons report feeling [[http://marri.us/get.cfm?i=MA12H04|guilty]],((Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, “‘Feels Guilty During Intercourse with Current Sexual Partner’ by Current Religious Attendance and Marital Status,” Mapping America Project. Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-117.pdf]]. Accessed 19 December 2013.)) [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-126.pdf|sad]],((Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, “‘Feels Sad During Intercourse with Current Sexual Partner’ by Current Religious Attendance and Marital Status,” Mapping America Project. Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-126.pdf]]. Accessed 19 December 2013.)) or scared or afraid((Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, “‘Feels Scared, Afraid During Intercourse with Current Sexual Partner’ by Current Religious Attendance and Marital Status,” Mapping America Project. Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-118.pdf]]. Accessed 19 December 2013.)) (See [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-118.pdf| Chart]] Below) during intercourse with their current sexual partner. Those in always-intact marriages were the least likely to feel anxious or worried during intercourse with their current sexual partner (6.8 percent). Feeling anxious or worried during intercourse is more prevalent among those in non-intact structures and among singles: 12.1 percent of those who were divorced and remarried, 20.6 percent of those who were divorced or separated, 25.9 percent of those who were always single feel anxious or worried during intercourse with their current sexual partner. ((Patrick F. Fagan and Althea Nagai, "'Feels Anxious, Worried During Intercourse with Current Sexual Partner,'by Marital Status and Religious Attendance," Mapping America Project. Available at [[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-118.pdf]]
 +\\
 +\\
 +\\
 +This entry draws heavily from [[http://marri.us/research/research-papers/164-reasons-to-marry/|164 Reasons to Marry]].))
 +[[http://marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-118.pdf|{{ :feels_scared_afraid_during_intercourse_by_marital_status.jpg?500 |Percentage Who Feel Scared, Afraid During Intercourse with Current Sexual Partner}}]]