by April Wilson

Created on: November 24, 2009

While studies have shown that people in a long-term committed relationship tend to live longer and healthier lives, this can be misleading. This tends to be more true for men than it does for women. Additionally a relationship that is highly stressful or combative, obviously won't allow you to live a longer and healthier life.

Why are relationships, especially marriage, generally more stressful and less beneficial to women than men? Part of this blame can be laid on how our culture views women's roles vs. men's roles. Though women have gained a lot, they've also lost a lot. On the way to becoming professional equals, many women find themselves still saddled with most of the housework and most of the child rearing. That will add stress and unhappiness to anyone's life.

Though many men feel the brunt of the responsibility for being the bread winner, being a woman working full time and raising a family and doing most of the housework is still too much. Yet often women feel it's even more stress trying to get their husbands to help them out some.

In addition to this, women are often still made to feel guilty for taking time out for themselves.

Benefits of being single (some of these points apply to men as well, but I'm a woman so I can only speak as a woman):

1. You generally don't get into the procreation loop

Children are wonderful and awesome, but they aren't for everybody. They also can be incredibly expensive. Women who remain single usually choose not to have children, allowing them not to have to think: "How will this affect the kids" with every decision they make.

2. You can live where you want

Pick up and move across the country if you want, any time you want. You can take a job in a foreign country, whatever. When you're single and it's just you, every decision you make only affects you.

3. Eat what you want

When you get married often you eat at least one meal together. Generally compromises have to be made on what you eat since you have to account for the tastes of both partners instead of just one. If you get into a Ramen noodle or Mac and Cheese kick, as a single person, this is okay, there's no one to argue with over it. As part of a couple (especially marriage), if you have Mac and Cheese two nights in a row there is going to be some whining from the other party.

4. Full control of the remote

You can watch what you want when you want. You don't have to bargain about television viewing choices, or have multiple televisions just so you can watch

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