Lots of people grow up dreaming about their wedding day. They look forward to it for years, as they can’t wait to share their life with another person. And according to USAFacts, nearly half of the households in the United States are headed by married couples. This is over 30% less than the marriage rate in 1949, but it’s still a significant percentage of the population.
Since the 1950s, the average age at which adults marry has steadily increased. Back then, women tended to marry around age 20, while many men would tie the knot at age 22. Today, however, men tend to get married at 30, and women, on average, get married around 28. Meanwhile, in the US, certain ethnicities are more likely to say “I do.” Statistically, Asian and White Americans are more likely than Hispanic and Black Americans to tie the knot.
Today, the average American wedding costs a whopping $36,000. So you might be wondering why in the world anyone wants to get married. Well, the Gottman Institute says the number one reason is that the couple has a deep emotional bond and commitment. If they feel strongly enough about their relationship, they may feel confident declaring it in front of all of their loved ones and committing to one another for life.
Another, less romantic, reason why people choose to get married is for the financial advantages. Joint filing of taxes can often result in savings, and it’s nice to have automatic inheritance rights in the event of a tragedy. There are also Social Security survivor benefits, health insurance coverage options, and married couples jointly own property and assets.
Married couples also often enjoy legal and health benefits. If your partner undergoes an unexpected health emergency, you’ll be entitled to hospital visits and medical decision-making rights. You’ll also be able to be added to your partner’s health insurance plan if you’re married. And in the United States, spouses receive Family and Medical Leave Act benefits.
Despite all of the benefits, marriage isn’t always a walk in the park. So before saying “I do,” it’s important to carefully consider whether or not the decision is right for you. It’s estimated that between 40% and 50% of first marriages end in divorce, which can be devastating emotionally and financially. So couples should do everything that they can to enter a marriage prepared for the unexpected and fully committed to one another.
One of the best things husbands and wives can do to ensure they don’t lose their sanity (or their spouse) is to maintain a healthy sense of humor. Clinical psychologist Enrico Gnaulati says that evolutionarily, humans actually aren’t equipped to “navigate the kind of extremely long-term intimate partnerships that many people today aspire to.” So it’s perfectly normal if it doesn’t come naturally to you. But learning to laugh together can be the secret to a long, happy, and healthy marriage.
Gnaulati explains that humor can be a wonderful way to diffuse tension in a marriage and avoid arguments. If your loving partner made a comment that rubbed you the wrong way, you don’t have to take it personally. Instead, deflecting it with humor might de-escalate the situation. It’s impossible for the two of you to be mad at one another while you’re laughing, and humor can be a great reminder not to take life too seriously.
