Reply #47: I don't really know... [View All]

I do know that about 15-20 years ago started the whole "married people are happier and healthier" meme. Starting with Linda Waite in her Case For Marriage... which was praised by Maggie Gallagher, Bill Bennett, even Robert Bork (!) even though she apparently called herself a liberal Democrat.

Then we had the studies linking religiosity to happiness and good health.

Remember those stupid studies in the 80s about how women over 35 were more likely to be struck by lightning or killed by a terrorist than get married? Women, all but the dumbest ones anyway, quit buying it. So Linda Waite and friends took the next step: no more outlandish claims or scare tactics. You've got to sound plausible... to appeal to women or anyone who trusts in cold hard facts.
If these authorities doing research say it's true, it must be true, right? (Pay no attention to the financial contribution from the American Family Association, there...)

And you know damn well that we will ALL sit up and pay attention if you link our health outcomes to any particular behavior. In this era of health non-care? You say married people are healthier, we're gonna say, give me that diamond ring NOW!