Marriage: It Doesn't Do A Body Good

With all other things being happy and balanced, I suppose a modicum of an increase in health benefits might be a reason to get married. But that assumes a healthy, supportive and productive marriage and too many aren't.

But when it comes to physical health, marriage is worse than neutral for black women. Listen to the report, newly published by the New York-based Institute for American Values:

'Our research finds that marriage brings small health benefits to black men -- and none to black women. In fact, married black women are significantly less likely to report having excellent health than are unmarried black women.'

Understand that the report is from people and organizations who could fairly be called a part of the 'marriage movement.' Many of those involved have long touted the benefits of marriage -- to men, women and children. The female health finding must have caught them by surprise.

Most of them, anyway. Linda Malone-Colon, one of the five scholars conducting the review, said she wasn't exactly blindsided by the finding.

'Overall, the study shows the smallest benefit to black women -- but it's still an important benefit,' said Malone-Colon, a psychologist who is director of the Washington-based National Healthy Marriage Resource Center, a clearinghouse for resources for strengthening marriages.

The Delaney sisters both lived to be over 100 years old. Neither of them ever married and they claimed that not having a man around to "worry them to death" was the reason for their longevity. I tend to think this would be the case with me. Fortunately/unfortunately I have a very independent spirit that, I'm certain, was spawned both by me being an eldest child and a latch key kid who learned to make "executive decisions" at a very early age. Most women (married or not) that I know who are like me are either in combative relationships (that usually don't last) where there is a constant power struggle or (and this seems more common) are in dog/leash relationships where their sole role seems to be telling their husbands what to do and when to do it. Some folks function quite well this way and while I may be perceived as bossy (I don't think so. I just know what I want to do and others seem to follow), living life playing "big mama" does not appeal to me because I think I'd die of frustration much to early.

Note: Some guy in the comment section at this blog keeps making me laugh. Did you know that men become drunks and deadbeats because women don't love them (and that is their job) and that if blacks listened to country music, they'd learn something (Like what ... "You Took A Fine Time To Leave Me Lucille?").