Product Description
A groundbreaking look at the most basic and universal of all human institutions, this authoritative and provocative book reveals the benefits-emotional, physical, economic, and sexual-that marriage brings to individuals and society as a whole.
Everyone knows that we are experiencing an epidemic of divorce; rates of single-parenthood and unmarried cohabitation are skyrocketing while marriage rates continue to decline. Yet 93% of Americans still say they hope … More >>
The Case for Marriage: Why Married People Are Happier, Healthier, and Better Off Financially
It’s hard for me to imagine a more silly, less absurd book than this one. Why anyone would NEED this book is beyond me. Maggie Gallagher is a very controversial and extreme conservative, whose comments are often insulting and outrageous.
Anyone seeking a nice book about marriage should look to a more rational, reasoned source than this book. There are plenty of them out there. This is not one of them.
Rating: 1 / 5
If you have any interest in just why there seems to be a growing resentment between the married and the unmarried then this book is a good place to start. Taking on a self congratulatory tone it documents the growing superiority complex the plagues many married people in America as they condescend and look down upon those who choose not to marry.
There is certainly nothing wrong with marriage, but until our society fully recognizes that it is not for everyone, and until those who are married stop ostracizing the unmarried it will continue to be plagued by a high divorce rate and dysfunctional relationships. This book refuses to recognize that and continues to take the “thank God we aren’t like others” attitude that is rapidly growing among the married.
Rating: 1 / 5
I would like to totally agree with reviewer Veronica Anzaldua. Your weight, diet, and exercise has far more to do with your lifespan and the function of your immune system than marriage does. As a registered nurse and a Certified Health Education Specialist, I am far more qualified than either of these two authors to discuss the subject of health. Having worked at both the Texas Heart Institute and the MD Anderson Cancer Center, I can tell you that there are many married patients under 50 years of age who are very ill and have even died at a young age. My husband is a cardiologist at THI and he will also back me up on this 100% I am not against marriage by any means. Marriage is wonderful when it is a good one. However, a much more appropriate title for this book would have been Why HAPPILY Married People are …..Even in this case, a person would have to have a healthy lifestyle in order to ensure and long life and good health. You can have the best marriage in the world, but if you are 100+ pounds overweight and live a sedentary life. Guess What? You are still at risk for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer! Likewise, a single woman or man who leads a healthy lifestyle, is no more at risk for a disease than a married woman or man. By the way, cancer does not discriminate between married and unmarried people. I hope that no one would ever be dumb enough to believe that marriage is the answer all of their health problems. I can’t believe that these two women (with ZERO medical credentials) are making health claims!!
Rating: 1 / 5
Books like this one make us singles feel bad. I want badly to find that special someone, but haven’t had much luck. I’m already depressed enough as it is without these two authors telling me that someone with a wedding ring is better off than me. In their view, I’ll drop dead sooner because I haven’t taken that walk down the aisle. Gee, if that’s the case, then I guess I better start writing my will tomorrow. I guess eating right, exercising, not smoking, or driving safely won’t keep me alive. Only a wedding ring will! To all you single people out there, avoid this book like the plague.
Rating: 1 / 5
If you want a glimpse as to why there is growing resentment between the married and unmarried, look no further than this remarkably smug book and the attitudes it promotes and represents.
For years we have been hearing all sorts of hand wringing from many in our society over the notion that marriage is “under attact” in our culture. A preposterous idea that has continued to lead to a superiority complex among the married, as if they are the enlightened ones and the unmarried are the enemy and somehow dangerous to our society. This book perpetuates that notion with a smug presentation as if to reassure the married that yes, they indeed are superior human beings.
Until our society 1) recognizes that marriage simply isn’t for everyone and that 2) this is OK and makes moves to stop stigmatizing the single the divorce rate in this country will continue to be high. Once the unmarried are seen as a part of our society, and not a threat to it, then you will see the divorce rate drop. What are the smug marriage proponents so afraid of?
Rating: 1 / 5