Balancing Togetherness: Fostering Emotional Wellbeing in Romantic Partnerships
BY: Neighbors’ Consejo|
In the intricate dance of romantic relationships, when two unique worlds intertwine, the quest of enduring togetherness and emotional fulfillment becomes a captivating journey. As we navigate the labyrinth of coexistence, the profound interplay between harmonious companionship and individual wellbeing unveils itself. This article delves into the heart of partnership dynamics, exploring the art of nurturing emotional wellness while embracing the beautiful complexities of life together.
According to the study of the Australian Institute of Family Studies, “Marriage, cohabitation and mental health”, “married people have better mental health than single people do. This general conclusion applies to a range of outcomes, including depression, happiness, life satisfaction, psychological wellbeing and mortality from suicide. Moreover, the marriage advantage has been demonstrated in a variety of countries and regions, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia[1] ”.
Frontiers[2] affirms, “approximately 50% of women reported cohabiting with a partner as a first union, with 40% of these transitioning to marriage within 3 years, 37% ending the relationship, and 32% remaining in a cohabiting relationship. Likewise, there has been an increase in the number of families with children who are cohabiting in many countries over the last half century. Approximately half of children under 16 in the United States are estimated to live with a mother in a cohabiting relationship at some point during their childhood”.
The study “Mental health benefits of cohabitation and marriage: A longitudinal analysis of Norwegian register data[3] ”, “marriage may be considered a marker of favorable earlier development in mental health. In contrast, there is further improvement over the years preceding direct marriage. Patterns are quite similar for women and men. Overall, the results suggest that the mental health benefits of cohabitation and marriage are similar”.
What are the pros and cons of living together? Pros: “It helps spend some quality time together; it helps strengthen your bond; it improves your sex life; it saves a lot of money; it reduces marriage stress. Cons: “It gives an easy way out; it is difficult to convince family; it may make marriage seem unimportant; it may negatively affect your relationship; it may cause boredom [4] ”.
The journey of coexistence is a dynamic one, requiring patience, communication and genuine commitment to nurturing each other’s happiness. As we conclude this exploration of romantic togetherness and emotional flourishing, let us remember that the true beauty of a partnership lies in the way it becomes a safe haven for vulnerability, a source of strength in challenges, and a canvas for the colors of shared love to shine. May our understanding deepen, our bonds strengthen, and our hearts continue to find solace in the embrace of a harmonious and emotionally thriving partnership.
[1]https://aifs.gov.au/research/family-matters/no-96/marriage-cohabitation-and-mental-health
[2]https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.746306/full
[3]https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00324728.2022.2063933
[4]https://www.momjunction.com/articles/living-together-before-marriage-good-bad_00792442/