Why is it that people assume that people in relationships are happier?

[Thtwudbeme]

Good God, I couldn't stand to live with 99% of the men that I have met; and I bet there are some men tonight thinking "Well, thank God I didn't marry her."

I wish we didn't have this stupid assed myth in the US...it is really a pain in the ass for me to even have to listen to.

[Ellen Forradalom]

1. Phoo tell me about it

I like companionship but it is NOT easy.

[GOPisEvil]

2. Studies have shown that people in stable LTRs ARE happier.

Not that I'd know or anything, but it makes sense.

Now, NON-stable LTRs? That's a horse of a different color.

[trof]

11. Well, they live longer, anyway.

You could look it up.
Maybe it just SEEMS like longer?
;-)

[Thtwudbeme]

14. wrong. The MEN live longer

nt

[huskerlaw]

20. Well right

but how many people in LTRs are in STABLE LTRs?

Since 50% of all marriages end in divorce...and we all know that lots of people remain in unstable LTRs for whatever reason...I'm guessing it's not a huge percentage.

Therefore, statistically one should assume that people are in unstable LTRs and are therefore less happy than their single counterparts.

Obviously I also don't buy into the "couples are happier" bullshit.

Happy Middle of February Day! :evilgrin:

[GOPisEvil]

30. Happy Second Tuesday in February!

:evilgrin:

[ZombieNixon]

3. I don't know about "people",

but I'm pretty sure that *I'd* be happier in a relationship.

[democracyindanger]

4. Because you always have somebody to blame for your unhappiness. nt

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. Hahaha!

Truer words were never spake.

[NMMNG]

5. It's just a societal notion

Unfortunately it fosters the idea that one is defective if they are unable or unwilling to pair up, or if they are not perpetually mated. TV commercials, movies, Internet dating service ads, magazines, books and virtually everything you see conspire to make you think you must find true love or perish trying.

[CarpeDiebold]

7. one word

freesex

[LostinVA]

9. You haven't been in alot of long-term relationships, have you?

Free sex .... giggle.

[mongo]

17. LOL!

Yeah.....some of my past relationships took a heavy toll on all levels.

[LostinVA]

21. hehehehehhe

[YellowRubberDuckie]

8. Because there are people who think that you have no identity unless...

you are in a couple. They also seem to think that unless you have an SO, you're sad and lonely.:shrug:
but I think it's bullshit, and it's just their profound lack of self esteem that makes them think that.
Duckie

[SOteric]

10. A great many can't stand their own company,

and feel that someone else's constant presence would obscure that basic fact.

[RandomKoolzip]

23. Good point.

I find it helpful to always be wary of those who are too willing to be friendly or lare too loquacious for no good reason; those are the dopes who're probably always scoping out a potential sounding board/partner in every crowd to wipe out the buzzing they hear when they're not talking.

[Redstone]

12. Well, I am, anyway.

Redstone

[Benfea]

13. Idealization of relationships is a natural consequence...

…of the fact that we had only arranged marriages for hundreds of years and don't do that anymore.

[Orsino]

15. 'Cause people need people.

Perhaps not exclusive, romantic relationships, but we are social animals. We grew these big brains to keep track of all those birthdays (and rivalries, jealousies, vendettas, etc.).

Assuming that people lucky enough to form that one special relationship are happier probably has some statistical validity. Tha doesn't mean, of course, that we should let that assumption show; undoubtedly it is incorrect in many cases, and it may simply be rude.

[JitterbugPerfume]

16. there are MUCH worse things

than living alone


being with the wrong person is WAY worse---I know< I have had it both ways

[gollygee]

18. There's good and bad to both

they're just different - neither is better than the other.

[graywarrior]

19. Jeeze, if I had to focus on just my stuff, I'd kill myself.

This way, I get to take the focus off me and zero in on every single one of his fuck ups and shove them in his face and he gets to completely ignore me or laugh in my face.

[evlbstrd]

22. Have you been talking to my ex?

The similarities are uncanny.

[no name no slogan]

24. No, I think she's MY ex

:evilgrin:

[graywarrior]

26. It's practice practice practice.

I'm an expert at things I don't even know I'm an expert at. Ask him.

[ScreamingMeemie]

29. Or cry....

:hi: Happy VD gw! :hi: :hug:

[hfojvt]

25. maybe we have read too much Shari Motro

"Research consistently shows that unmarried Americans are on average poorer, sicker and sadder than their married counterparts. Yet they are denied perks given to married couples who, in many cases, neither need nor deserve them. Though gay couples certainly lose out as well, singles of any preference pay a triple price for not finding love: they don't enjoy the solace and support of a life partner; they don't profit from the economies of scale that come from pooling resources with a mate; and they effectively subsidize spousal benefits that they themselves can't take advantage of." Shari Motro

In one Newsweek, they had a longevity quiz. And for a guy, being single was the health equivalent of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. This is according to Newsweek, FWIW.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

27. Being in a bad relationship is hell, but being in a good relationship

is one of the finest experiences a human being can have. In terms of desirability, with the first listed being the highest:

Good relationship
Single blessedness
Bad relationship

However, like you, Stephanie, I couldn't stand to live with 99% of the men I've met.

[sendero]

28. Because every scientific study ..

... ever conducted says so? And that coupled folks live longer as well?

One thing is true, being alone is better than being with a person who is incompatible with you.

[Divameow77]

31. I think we are conditioned that

we can't love ourselves unless somebody loves us.

"Your Nobody til Somebody Loves You" crap.

[Kat45]

32. Probably because they assume they're having sex, they

have a person who loves them, cares about them more than anyone else (except perhaps children). Someone to go through life with, someone to go places with.

It's not true of everyone in relationships, but that's the usual assumption.