Last month PARADE (the Sunday paper insert) featured an article, “The Truth About American Marriage” by Leslie Bennett. Initially,  I thought, “uh-oh!” In the media we often hear about break-ups, affairs, divorce, and other unsettling stories of betrayal in all kinds of relationships across our country.

Whenever I hear about more negativity in relationships, I wonder, “What is going on?”
I have a wonderful relationship with my husband, . . . well, today. . .
I say that with tongue in cheek. but more so because that’s the way relationships work - there are ups and downs; some days he’s Mr. Wonderful, other days he’s “the last straw” but EVERY day I love him and we are both committed to each other, no matter what track of the rollercoaster we happen to have fallen that day.

This is just as true in a friendship just as it is true in any intimate relationship.

So, as I sat to read, I braced myself for some more negative news. . . but then, I was pleasantly surprised! Despite the stories of failing marriages we read/hear about almost daily, the national poll by PARADE showed that about 88% of people surveyed said they were “happy” or “reasonably content with their marriages.”

I love articles like this because they give a bunch of juicy statistics that I appreciate, so here are some to share:
• 80% married for love.
• 75% reported that their sex lives are reasonably fulfilling (yeah!)
• 71% chose to stay married because of “deep love.”
• 63% would try to save their marriage if a spouse was unfaithful
• 56% would definitely marry the same person again

Even the “bad” stuff doesn’t sound so bad:
• 19% of men have had sex outside of marriage (the media makes it sound more like 91%!)
• 24% have kept an important secret from their spouse
• 25% describe marital sex as either tolerable or terrible
• 31% of men have thought about leaving their wives
• 44% of women have thought about leaving their husbands

The good news is that overall, it sounds like American relationships are “sticky” and there is still plenty of love and commitment around. Now you have to wonder, “What’s up with American celebrity and their lack of commitment?” OR what’s probably more true, “Why does the media paint such a gloomy picture?”

Whatever the reason, THIS person (me) is not going to buy into the negativity (even through this presidential campaign!).
I like to look at the “glass half full” or rather 80% faithful couples and 75% happy sex lives . .

What about you? What are your thoughts?

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan