The Benefits of Single Life vs. The Benefits of Marriage
The Dilemma - Many of us have a tendency to look at our situation and compare it to the circumstances of others around us. This is especially true for many single people who want the companionship they believe marriage will offer. Marriage appears the reward for years spent alone without the intimacy available from a committed relationship. The question for these individuals is this: Does marriage hold a promised reward, and will people find it simply by entering this new stage in life?
Other single people look at marriage as a much more negative alternative to single life. Most likely from observing the unhappy experiences of others, these people choose to avoid marriage and decide single life has much greater benefits. However, is it better to view marriage as something to avoid rather than something to actively seek after?
In reality, single life and marriage both have tremendous things to offer. In addition, they both have negative parts to consider. Looking at one or the other as wholly positive or negative puts us in a situation where we might miss out on various opportunities. How can we make a decision regarding how to view single life versus marriage? One way to start is to look at the potential benefits of both lifestyles.
It is well known that marriage can offer companionship, love and intimacy. Married people often recognize their spouse as their best friend, someone with whom they can share their dreams and concerns. They can also join in social groups they cannot join when they are single. Marriage allows people to feel a part of something important and meaningful such as fulfillment of religious beliefs and having children. It also can help individuals develop important skills for managing conflict, finding reconciliation in differences, identifying and understanding emotions, and communicating effectively.
Single life also offers many positive things. Single people can enjoy an element of freedom. They can make decisions regarding various parts of life such as finances, housing, and social experiences without having to consider how their decision will affect another person. They avoid the conflicts and role ambiguity that accompany marital issues. Their social contact and experiences are more likely to be varied and their movement uninhibited. Single people can also develop essential skills by acting independently, making good decisions, feeling self-confident, and building relationships with many different people.
When single life and marriage both have so many positive things to offer, how can single people find a balance between entirely embracing one lifestyle and disregarding the benefits of the other? How can they adopt a healthy view that looks realistically at both marriage and single life? Or, more appropriately, should they try to find such a realistic view? Finally, is this possible?"