Marriage has been a universal practice throughout human history, yet its value is increasingly debated, particularly in developed nations where marriage rates have fallen. This decline is attributed to elite secular culture diminishing marriage's importance. Long-term intimate relationships, secured through marriage, foster greater happiness in adults by counteracting selfish tendencies that might undermine partnerships. Evolutionarily, humans are biologically predisposed to pair bonding—evidenced by hormonal changes in married men, the role of oxytocin in emotional connections, and anatomical similarities with monogamous primates. These factors highlight that monogamy is not only a social construct but also deeply rooted in our evolutionary biology, suggesting that pursuing and maintaining marriage can lead to enhanced personal well-being.
Marriage has long been considered a goal to aspire to and a conventional path to happiness. But over the last few decades, the traditional view of marriage as the cornerstone of adult life has been questioned. Changes in economic conditions, gender roles, and cultural values have fueled a reevaluation of whether marriage is still desirable or necessary for personal fulfillment and social stability. Those who believe it’s better to get married argue that married individuals report better physical and mental well-being, compared to single adults. They also experience economic and social benefits. Those who believe it’s better to be single say singledom helps promote independence, allows individuals to make decisions freely, makes it likely to create broader social networks and communities, and feel more fulfilled than they would if they felt pressured to be partnered.
Whether you are in a relationship or not, we debate the following prompt: Married or Single?
Arguing Married: Jonathan Rothwell, Principal Economist at Gallup
Arguing Single: Bella DePaulo, Social Scientist and Author of "Singled Out" and "Single at Heart"
Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates
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