Benefits for Children and Youth

Researchers have found many benefits for children and youth who are raised by parents in healthy marriages, compared to unhealthy marriages, including the following:

• More likely to attend college
• More likely to succeed academically
• Physically healthier
• Emotionally healthier
• Less likely to attempt or commit suicide
• Demonstrate less behavioral problems in school
• Less likely to be a victim of physical or sexual abuse
• Less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol
• Less likely to commit delinquent behaviors
• Have a better relationship with their mothers and fathers
• Decreases their chances of divorcing when they get married
• Less likely to become pregnant as a teenager, or impregnate someone.
• Less likely to be sexually active as teenagers
• Less likely to contract STD's
• Less likely to be raised in poverty

Benefits to Women

Researchers have found many benefits for women who are in healthy marriages, compared to unhealthy marriages, including the following:

• More satisfying relationship
• Emotionally healthier
• Wealthier
• Less likely to be victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or other violent crimes
• Less likely to attempt or commit suicide
• Decrease risk of drug and alcohol abuse
• Less likely to contract STD's
• Less likely to remain or end up in poverty
• Have better relationships with their children
• Physically healthier

Benefits to Men

Researchers have found many benefits for men who are in healthy marriages, compared to unhealthy marriages, including the following:

• Live longer
• Physically healthier
• Wealthier
• Increase in the stability of employment
• Higher wages
• Emotionally healthier
• Decrease risk of drug and alcohol abuse
• Have better relationships with their children
• More satisfying sexual relationship
• Less likely to contract STD's
• Less likely to commit violent crimes
• Less likely to attempt or commit suicide

Benefits to Communities

Researchers have found many benefits for communities when they have a higher percentage of couples in healthy marriages, compared to unhealthy marriages, including the following:

• Higher rates of physically healthy citizens
• Higher rates of emotionally healthy citizens
• Higher rates of educated citizens
• Lower domestic violence rates
• Lower crime statistics
• Lower teen age pregnancy rates
• Lower rates of juvenile delinquency
• Higher rates of home ownership
• Lower rates of migration
• Higher property values
• Decreased need for social services