by Matt Bird

Created on: May 22, 2009

Marriage seems like such an iffy gamble these days. With divorce rates through the roof and settlements getting ever more costly, who would want to commit themselves to something that could fall apart at any time?

Actually, there are lots of reasons. Marriage is not only the holiest of bonds, it's a practical advantage for most couples. And, as long as they can make it work, they'll retain those advantages for a long, long time. Here's a list of just some.

1.) Economic stability. A married couple is in it together for thick and thin, even more so than just normal couples. As such all the money made generally goes into a single pool - and in times as economically unpredictable as these, two incomes is much better than one.

2.) Emotional support. Everybody has bad days, and so long as your partner is the loving kind you can always come home and expect to find somebody who will listen to your every word. Marriage is a sign that you trust one another with virtually everything, and personal problems are no exception.

3.) Forces you to settle down. Yes, it's nice to live the high life all the time and enjoy the perks of going out every night and getting drunk, but we all need to grow up and face up to our responsibilities. Marriage can help us do this, as we're responsible for not only supporting our spouse, but also any children who may result from a marriage.

4.) Provides a stable environment for pre-existing children. Generally speaking marriages feature two parents under one roof, and kids need that kind of support to maximize the chances of growing up properly. (No slight against you single parents - most of you do a great job.) More, two parents also provide the money necessary to keep the child healthy and well-educated in preparation for their own solo adventures in the world.

5.) Strong sex life. Yes, this may embarrass some, but it's true. A partner you're married to will generally know everything that rocks your boat, so to speak, and depending on their own tastes you may find yourself having sex much more often than you would if you were single. What's more, marriage implies a certain level of trust, so both partners will be more open to sharing their more intimate fantasies with one another, further enhancing their pleasure.

6.) Gives you a friend for life. A good marriage may lose its frantic romantic spark after a while, but what remains is still a strong friendship that can endure well into your twilight years. The proper couple will never get bored of one another and remain thoroughly committed to their marriage no matter what - so even if they don't have any other friends, they'll always have each other.

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