My last couple of articles have focused on encouraging healthy marriages. In the first article I listed two findings that Congress had discovered about the benefits of healthy marriages. However there are several more.
How a healthy marriage benefits the children.
Children who come from a healthy married couple are more likely to attend college.
These children score higher academically.
Children from healthy married couples are both more physically and emotionally stable.
These children have a lower rate of suicide or attempted suicide.
Children from healthy homes have fewer behavior and discipline problems at school.
They are less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol.
Children who come from healthy homes are less likely to get a divorce in the future.
As teenagers, these children were also found less likely to be involved in sexual activities.
How a healthy marriage benefits women.
Women in a healthy marriage are more emotionally stable.
They are wealthier.
These women have better relationships with their children.
They are less likely to commit suicide or abuse alcohol or drugs.
Women in healthy marriages are also physically healthier.
How a healthy marriage benefits men.
Men in healthy marriages live longer.
They are in better physical and emotional health.
They earn higher wages.
They stay with a job longer.
They are less likely to attempt suicide or commit a crime.
How a healthy marriage benefits the community.
The members of the community are healthier.
The members are more educated.
The domestic violence rate is lower.
More citizens own a home.
The property values are higher.
The need for social services is lower.
There is less crime.
There are fewer teen pregnancies.
There is less movement into and out of the community.
While many of these benefits I already assumed, some did intrigue me. I had always thought of how marriage affected the couple and the children but I had never thought about the effect it has on the community.