I’ve heard it said that 1) married men live longer than their single counterparts and 2) married women die sooner because of their husbands.
It makes sense, I suppose. I don’t know how much truth there is to #2 — perhaps it was only a joke that got attached. I also have not verified #1; I have not had the time nor have I had the interest in confirming this.
However, from what I have seen from patients, I tend to believe that married men live longer.
I see men all the time coming into the hospital or clinic followed by their (doting, loving, caring, overbearing, controlling or whatever adjective you want to use) wives.
It is not uncommon for me to ask for the the medication list or the past medical history and have a perplexed man indicating that I should seek answers from his better half.
Women are amazing caregivers. And sometimes a husband invariably becomes a wife’s first child. Maybe it’s good practice for the eventual and actual first child.
Over the last year of marriage I have, without a doubt, felt and been very well taken care of by Allison. She has taken up much of the household duties. She has taken up grocery shopping and meal planning. She has made sure that there are fruits and vegetables at home. She has even gotten on my case for not eating enough of the available fruits and vegetables. In my own personal life, I can see the benefits of marriage.
So yeah, maybe married men do live longer.
I just hope I help her live longer and happier too.
