Christians happier in marriage and men more satisfied, but Gen X is in trouble: Barna Group study

Christian Post ^ | 06/18/2021 | Leonardo Blair

[SeekAndFind]

Christians are happier with their marriages than non-Christians, men are more satisfied with their unions than women, and Gen X couples are in trouble, according to a recent Marriage Helper study conducted by Barna Group.

While Christians and men, in general, are shown to be reaping the most positive benefits of marriage, data from the study of 1,500 U.S. adults about marriage and divorce conducted from April 15 to May 10, show that Generation X, the cohort of individuals born between 1965 and 1980, appear to be suffering an alarming divorce trend.

“Our data on practicing Christians is encouraging, but when you connect that to the larger trends — Generation Xers are at the highest risk to repeat the ‘Gray Divorce’ cycle started by Baby Boomers — everyone needs to be on the alert. Gen Xers are less satisfied in their marriages, less likely to seek help, and ripe for divorce as their kids leave home and life patterns shift,” Kimberly Holmes, CEO of Marriage Helper, said in a statement to The Christian Post. “While men believe they’re very satisfied in their marriages, decades of research shows that men are actually resistant to admitting there is a problem.”

Marriage Helper, which works to rebuild marriages and strengthen families through online resources, courses and marriage coaching, is now offering men who need help with their relationship free access to their resources for Father’s Day.

“We’re giving complimentary access to our Father’s Day tuneup course precisely because it provides a non-intimidating way for men to dip their toe in the water and take a positive step, to take action on their marriage,” Holmes said.

The study shows that while 59% of all U.S. adults report being very satisfied with their marriage, that figure among practicing Christians stood at 73%. Another 20%, or practicing Christian couples, also reported they were somewhat satisfied, along with 22% of all U.S. adults.

Some 65% of men reported being very satisfied with their marriage, while just 52% of women reported the same. And while 65% of millennials and 61% of Boomers reported being very satisfied with their marriage, only 47% of Generation X couples said they were very satisfied.

When it comes to seeking help, however, when asked if they considered getting marriage help in the last 12 months, half of the couples who were very or somewhat frustrated said they considered counseling. Overall, one in seven married adults said they considered counseling.

The younger the adult questioned, the more likely they were to seek counseling. Black, Hispanic, and couples with children younger than 18 were also more likely to seek marital counseling, the study shows.

[Tell It Right]

According to the NIH's study years ago titled something like The Sociology of Sexuality, the people who have sex the most frequently are the ones who have all three of these properties: Christian, married, and attend church regularly.

They're also the ones reported being happier with their sex lives and the women most frequently reaching the big O.

Bless you, Jesus!

[OttawaFreeper]

I’ve mentioned this on similar discussion threads in that I recall reading about numerous instances involving women having their fathers pay for these big and lavish weddings and the girlfriends do the bridal shower and/or bachelorette parties for them and within a few years they are not too happy or satisfied with their marriage, leading to divorces, etc.

[fwdude]

I’m pretty leery of most polls, but Barna seems better than the others. Still, lots of false assumptions and errors.

[alstewartfan]

A real woman simply can’t fulfill the Victoria’s Secret model ideals. Thank God! Lol

[DoodleBob]

This is good data, but the conclusion is likely flawed.

There is a divorce "life cycle" where marriages tend to fail early, then there is a pop at the 35th anniversary/later years. Here is that curve for the U.K. (I can't find the US curve):

The data in this survey suffers from what we call a "survivorship bias" whereby married Boomer respondents are, by definition, not divorced. They have been seasoned/weathered the storm, so to speak, versus the younger married folks. Thus their higher happiness rates don't just reflect generational differences but longevity.

GenXers are about to hit that 35 year pop, where kids leave and a re-assessment tends to happen. Compound that phenomenon with the survey being taken during a pandemic where stresses were elevated, and the GenX relative values make sense but don't ipso facto indicate doom ahead.

[Vigilanteman]

Another little secret is that Christian men married to Christian women enjoy more frequent and more satisfying intercourse. (Yes, it works both ways if you ask the women, too.) The spiritual commitment actually enhances the physical pleasure of the intimacy.

Good research has shown this. My own experience of being married to a good Christian woman has actually validated the research. Every encounter, even if it doesn't end in the big "O" is pleasurable and makes you feel more in love with your partner than before.

The cheap "physical only" equivalent does not even come close to doing that.

[Bookshelf]

If you think women have ever been happy, check out Eve in the Garden of Eden.

[FreshPrince]

Bah!

wifer and I going to be 25 yrs this year. Going to live in separate addresses by years end although not legally divorcing or separating. (thats a long story) No longer willing to put up with her faults and vice versa. The rate of return is in the red so to speak. Worse things than being alone.

[SeekAndFind]

Do you have children?

[FreshPrince]

Yes 4. Three are grown. 4th “bonus child” is 6 yrs off.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Yes 4. Three are grown. 4th “bonus child” is 6 yrs off.

All I can say is, it’s sad that this has to happen. I hope the kids take it well and with maturity....

[FreshPrince]

I think the kids will be ok. Not a surprise to them.

[Albion Wilde]

“While men believe they’re very satisfied in their marriages, decades of research shows that men are actually resistant to admitting there is a problem.”

Bears repeating.

[Trillian]

My experience too. I agree completely.

[redgolum]

The priest that married us said he could judge the length of the marriage on the cost of the reception.