A recent study finds a link between altruism and marital happiness. It's not clear if altruism leads to happier marriages, or if marriage makes people more altruistic. But the link is there, according to Tom Smith of the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. Higher levels of altruism are found in married people than in co-habitating couples.
Smith also analyzed empathy, feelings of concern for the less fortunate, and lists these findings:
- Women have a greater feeling of empathy than men.
- Children from two-parent homes are more empathetic.
- Girls raised by a single father are the least likely to develop empathy.
- Financial status bears little on altruism or empathy.
- People who vote are more empathetic and altruistic.
- Empathy is higher among those who fear crime.
- Empathy is higher among those who support increased spending on social programs.
Methinks that marriage is more far important to creating a cohesive, functioning society we give it credit for. The data also suggests that the current societal acceptance of single-parenting is a big mistake for the kids (especially girls) and for the greater society. The trend of single moms by choice was the subject of a NY Times article last October. Can our society really afford to get more selfish? Do we want to be creating more insecure and less altruistic citizens?
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