According to new scientific insights. The women who remain unmarried and do not have children report the highest levels of happiness and well-being, and may even live longer. Happiness Isn’t Tied to Marriage or Parenthood. Paul Dolan is a professor of behavioral science at the London School of Economics. He revealed during a session at the Hay Festival that common success indicators like marriage and children often don’t equate to personal happiness, especially for women.
Marriage Benefits Men More Than Women
Dolan explained that while marriage encourages men to live more responsibly, leading to higher earnings and longer lives, the same cannot be said for women. In fact, many women face more emotional and physical challenges in married life.
Single, Childless Women Are Healthier and Happier. Based on various data sources, including the American Time Use Survey (ATUS). Dolan’s research shows that women who have never married or had children report higher happiness levels and better overall health.
The Real Cost of Traditional Roles for Women
While marriage may provide some health and financial perks to both genders, Dolan argues that women typically gain fewer benefits. In some cases, married middle-aged women experience more mental and physical health issues than their single peers.
Social Stigma Still Pressures Women
Despite the benefits of singlehood, societal expectations continue to glorify marriage and motherhood. This can lead to single women feeling stigmatized or seen as incomplete.
Also Read: 7 Reasons to Take Naps More Often for Better Health
Rethinking the “Happily Ever After” Narrative
Dolan concluded with a powerful message. “People often say to a woman in her 40s without kids, ‘You’ll find the right man one day.’ But what if she meets the wrong man, and becomes less happy and dies earlier as a result?”
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