The Truth of Marriage

Ball and chain…Tied down…Taking the plunge…

Marriage is so much more.

Myths about marriage hurt relationships and discredit the good marriage does for our society. But the truth shows just how vital a healthy marriage culture is to a thriving society.

Marriage

Myth

Most married couples are unhappy and miserable.

VS.

Truth

Social science shows that married people are happier and healthier, and have better relationships than couples of any other status.

"Married people have been found to have the best mental and physical health, followed by the single (never-married) and then the previously married. Generally, the health advantage of the married has been found to persist even when controlling for age, health behaviours, material resources acquired through marriage, and other relevant socio-demographic, health behaviour and health status factors."

Focus on Families – 2007 Summary Report

Sex

Myth

Sex with one person for the rest of your life is boring.

VS.

Truth

Studies show that married people are actually happier with their sex lives.

"[B]ased on data from the 1992 National Health and Social Life Survey[,] … levels of emotional and physical satisfaction with sex are highest for married people and lowest for noncohabiting singles, with cohabitors falling in between."

Waite & Lehrer, The Benefits from Marriage and Religion in the United States: A Comparative Analysis, Popul Dev. Rev. 29 (June 2003)

Divorce

Myth

We've grown apart. We'll be happier if we move on.

VS.

Truth

86% of unhappily married people who stick it out find that, 5 years later, their marriages are happier. In fact, three-fifths say their marriages are now very happy or quite happy.

Pornography

Myth

Pornography doesn't hurt anyone, and it won't impact my marriage.

VS.

Truth

Pornography destroys married sex lives, and studies show watching it increases support for adultery.

“Porn Destroying Modern Sex Lives” by Naomi Wolf

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Adultery

Myth

Affairs are exciting, and they give you what you aren't getting from your marriage.

VS.

Truth

Adultery will crush you, your spouse, and your children. Any supposed thrill associated with it will be dwarfed by adultery's impact on your family. The aftermath is devastating.

“A roomful of Yearning and Regret,” New York Times. What it feels like on both sides of an affair.

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Learn

Dig Deeper

Tim Keller, "Marriage in Gospel Focus."

"Devastation: Why Divorce Must Decline for America to Prosper"
- Family Research Council

The Alliance

First Things First: A community resource that collaborates with and is supported by a broad cross-section of community organizations, groups, and individuals.
Coalition for Divorce Reform: A non-partisan coalition of divorce reform leaders, marriage educators, domestic violence experts, scholars, and concerned citizens dedicated to supporting efforts to reduce unnecessary divorce and promote healthy marriages.
Marriage Savers: A community-based effort to increase the success of marriage, reduce divorce rates, and provide a better environment for children to thrive.

Learn more about The Alliance, those who partner with Alliance Defending Freedom to protect religious freedom, on our Alliance page.

IssuesCreating a Future of Progress, Growth, and Stability