Why Religious People Marry, Despite Cost

[rug]

Posted: 05/18/2013 5:59 pm
David Briggs.
Writer, Association of Religion Data Archives

The economics of relationships are shifting, and generally not in a positive way for the institution of marriage.

The recession, the rising financial independence of women and cultural shifts and technological advances that make single-parent families more acceptable and feasible are contributing to fewer people walking down the aisle.

Religious groups are not immune to these trends, but new research indicates faith is a powerful force slowing the decline.

Regular church attenders marry at higher rates, divorce at lower rates, are less likely to engage in extramarital sex and have more children than the general population, one new study found.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-briggs/why-religious-people-stay-married-despite-cost_b_3266261.html

This is his data.

http://www.thearda.com/Archive/Files/Analysis/GSS10PAN/GSS10PAN_Var12_1.asp

I'd like to see how same sex marriage affects this data over time.

[NYC_SKP]

1. The cost of health insurance for individuals is making me consider marriage.

To girlfriend with a job with a family insurance plan.

My COBRA costs $1,350/year.

Also, our separate households is costly- we don't need 2X comcast and 2X utilities and 2X mortgages.

[rug]

2. You're not alone.

I bet people also stay together for those same reasons.

[NYC_SKP]

5. People also stay with jobs that SUCK because of it.

I wonder how much more productive and happy we would all be if our insurance wasn't an issue.

We are a stupid culture.

[PassingFair]

6. That's why I'm burning for a public option.

Corporations are absolutely working us half to death right now.
As soon as I can by usable and affordable insurance, I'm quitting and
going back to working for myself.

[cbayer]

3. Really!?!?! Great news, my friend.

[Freddie]

4. You won't be the only one

My BIL and his longtime girlfriend were both divorced and in no hurry to get married again, but her great health insurance was a major factor in their decision to marry. They'll celebrate their 10th anniversary next month and have never once regretted it.