There are certain actions we can take in life that have well-documented payoffs. Graduating college is one, and staying fit as we get older is certainly another. But what about relationships? Confirmed bachelors seem to view long-term romantic relationships as more of a distraction than anything else, but does the science confirm this theory or refute it? And what of social relationships? Is it more beneficial to be a lone wolf, or are there pluses to staying closely connected to colleagues and old friends?
The Career Benefits of Tying the Knot
A study conducted by the Virginia Commonwealth University found that married men earn 22% more than single colleagues with similar levels of education and experience.
For many men, marriage is one of the most, if not the most significant relationships they will have in life. Some view this big decision from a purely romantic standpoint, but how does marriage impact a man’s lifelong economic prospects?
As it turns out, getting hitched can be quite beneficial for the career-minded man. A study conducted by the Virginia Commonwealth University found that married men earn 22% more than single colleagues with similar levels of education and experience. A study of U.S. Navy officers found that married servicemen often receive higher performance ratings and more frequent promotions than their unmarried peers.
It’s difficult to determine why these statistics hold true. One theory is that married men are viewed as more stable than their single peers, and therefore more likely to shoulder increased responsibility in a reliable manner. Another proposed explanation is that married men can develop a higher level of specialization when the tasks associated with maintaining a household and raising children are handled by a spouse. Of course, in today’s world, this explanation doesn’t hold much water, as modern women tend to be just as career-oriented as their husbands. Regardless of the factors behind these statistical variations, study after study confirms their validity.
What Other Benefits Come With Marriage or Long-Term Relationships?
A survey of sexual habits revealed that married men tend to have sex more often than their unmarried counterparts. On the surface, that might not seem to have much to do with career trajectory, but more sex equals more testosterone, and higher testosterone levels can boost confidence and banish depression and anxiety, both of which can sabotage a man’s career aspirations.
More sex equals more testosterone, and higher testosterone levels can boost confidence and banish depression and anxiety.Marriage also tends to be beneficial from a purely financial standpoint. It doesn’t take an economist to figure out that two people who share a bedroom and often share meals will have lower living costs than those who are going it alone. This is doubly true if they’re both focused on the same long-term financial goals, as married couples often tend to be. By combining buying power and directing monetary resources toward shared aims, married couples tend to be much more effective at achieving long-term financial stability, and setting aside resources for retirement.
Exchanging vows tends to make men reexamine their priorities, and jettisoning bad habits can be a part of that process. Studies have shown that on average, married men drink about half as much alcohol as their single counterparts, and that married men are more likely to abstain from alcohol consumption entirely. Now, we’re not suggesting that raising the occasional toast is detrimental, but some men do tend to drink a bit too much, a habit that can wreak havoc on anyone’s career.