Stay childless to stay healthy, says study

The Scotsman ^ | Wednesday, 10th October 2001 | James Doherty

[sendtoscott]

Stay childless to stay healthy, says study

IF YOU hope to live a long and healthy life, then abandon all plans of marriage, forget about the trauma of childbirth and dedicate yourself to climbing the career ladder to achieve a disease-free old age.

A massive study of 15,000 middle-aged men and women, carried out in Paisley 30 years ago, has given researchers a unique opportunity to determine the factors which contribute to a productive dotage.

And the startling results reveal that women who have never married and never given birth have the best chance of good health in their later years.

For men, career success seems to be the elusive elixir necessary for sustained quality of life long after-retirement age.

The ground-breaking study, carried out by the University of Paisley, revisited some of the surviving 7,500 men and women who took part in the original research.

Professor Mary Gilhooly, director of the Centre of Gerontology and Health at the university, told The Scotsman that the two and a half year PREVAIL project was unique in the world, because most other studies of its kind did not have access to a pool of women subjects.

It was thanks only to the stubbornness of a female factory worker who demanded that women be included in the original survey that scientists today had ready access to such valuable data.

Today’s research found evidence to suggest that eliminating stress was a precursor for a healthy old age.

Professor Gilhooly said: "It seems that having and caring for children is stressful for women and lack of career progression is stressful for men.

"So low levels of chronic stress from giving birth or a poor career are damaging over a lifetime."

The study determined the factors which allowed the 100 healthiest men and women, now in their seventies or older, to live productive lives. "What is surprising is that of the 52 women we looked at 20 of them are childless, which is quite astonishing," added Prof Gilhooly.

"It appears that being unmarried and childless is the better option for women who want to stay healthy in their old age," she said.

"It’s not a happy state to have lived to 95, but to have spent 30 years in poor health.

"Giving birth is physiologically demanding, but it is also time-consuming and stressful bringing up a child, and for some of them it is very boring.

"We’ve got to remember that we’re talking about a generation who had children and then were expected to give up work."

Throughout the past 30 years, studies conducted into the Paisley Buddies, initially undertaken by researchers at Glasgow University, have given valuable insights into the prevention and treatment of heart disease and cancer.

The MIDSPAN study also examined the effects of smoking, drinking and obesity on lifespan. Describing the 52 women looked at in the new study as the "healthy elite", the professor said those who were unmarried were a far cry from the stereotype of the hard-nosed spinster.

She added: "They were not crabby old witches. If anything, they were dynamic and leading interesting lives with very strong social circles."

Asked whether the prognosis for a generation of women who juggle career and family commitments was poor, Prof Gilhooly said: "Well, it could be worse. If the common under-lying factor in our findings is stress, then it’s possible that poor health may increase for those women when they reach old age."

The professor explained that modern women could benefit from increased salaries, better homes and better diets, which could, in turn, balance out any negative impacts on health associated with child-birth and marriage.

Professor Gilhooly added that her study had thrown open some interesting results for her own future.

She admitted: "I’ve been married for 30 years and I have a son.

"I’m not childless and not unmarried, but I have had career progression, so if I was a man, my prognosis would be wonderful."

The research project concludes in March 2002.

James Doherty
Wednesday, 10th October 2001
The Scotsman

[Harrison Bergeron]

"Right now we're quite happy without, but some of our procreating associates display the strangest sense of bitterness that we haven't bred yet. "

Don't be so hard on them. Parenting isn't for everyone. But once you've willingly taken it on it is - by necessity - all consuming for quite some time. What you're getting may feel like bitterness to you, but your "associates" are doing what people have been doing throughout the ages - they're nesting. The place they used to make for you in their lives is now filled up with something else - it's quite an adjustment. The absolute last thing any new parent will be is jealous or resentful of single or childless people (OK, except for the sleeping part).

And go easy on the smugness. I hope you are blessed with healthy children when you're ready and willing. There are no guarantees. The hell that is infertility problems will be as big a strain on a marriage as a serious illness or financial ruin.

[Havisham]

The culture of death marches on.

[Think free or die]

Wow! My grandmother is 99, despite 3 children and an assortment of grands, great-grands, and a great-great-grandson. Without all this stress, surely she could have anticipated living to 150!!!

Maybe the study is correct in connecting long healthy life to childlessness, but I still wouldn't trade my little munchkins for anything. Apart from loving them to distraction, having children has brought about a rich feeling of connection within the extended family. They're the next generation in a long line of wonderful people, and it's a delight watching them find their place among the relatives. It's nicer for me going through life holding hands both large and small.

[riley1992]

Mrs. Storm Orphan and I may decide to have kids, we may not.

There should be many, many more out there like you who take that decision as seriously as is warranted. It is by far and away the most serious decision anyone could make in their life. Don't pay any attention to the bitterness you see directed at you. Some of it may be imagined on your part but I am certain that some of it isn't. You do not want to end up bitter. Make sure you know for sure.

[oldironsides]

True enough about kids placing elderly. One single miserable wench is a middle aged Phd that sucks off her elderly parents while she tries to write a book. She has not visited them in 2 years but they keep sending cash for her because she does not feel well enough to work. I have no doubt this single female will live to be 100. Thank God she never had a child. She is a part time advisor on how to make more money and not work as hard. Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaha ha ha

[Storm Orphan]

The idea of creating more atheist, libertarian Objectivists is appealing.

Just for spite.

;^)

[apackof2]

we live a faery tale life that is mostly stress free.

faery=fairy

Yup your right sounds like a fairy tale to me!

[apackof2]

Just for spite.

spite: a mean or evil feling towards another, characterized by the inclination to hurt,
humilate,annoy. ill will, malice

Well sounds like a real noble goal

thanks but no thanks on this illumination of your soul

[apackof2]

Full quiver here :-)

Excellent! You are blessed!

[Storm Orphan]

You should try to develop a sense of humor.

[summer]

Wow, this is the best news I've had in ten years. Thanks!

[js1138]

Someone ought to tell my 91 year old father and 94 year old mother about this study. And their parents, who lived into their 90s.

[Antoninus]

Sure, great idea. Spend your entire life caring only about yourself and your own selfish goals. Die friendless and alone at age 90. Great plan.

[bannie]

I think I want someone to MISS me when I'm gone.

Have I told y'all about the cutest little girls in the world??? I have these two grandbabies who love me. You never ever felt GOOD until you get a hug and an "I love you, Nana."!!!! Don't care about QUANTITY...I want QUALITY.

DAMN, I FEEL GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!

[apackof2]

litters of little "atheist, libertarian Objectivists" wanna-be(s) isn't funny

[Storm Orphan]

If I choose to have children, they will be little atheists, little Objectivists and little libertarians.

And they will have a sense of humor, too.

[Antoninus]

I wonder if maybe there is an undercurrent of envy for the path not chosen among some of you.

Not hardly! We're expecting our first in a few months and can't wait! "Path not chosen"? Some path. I respect people that surrender their ability to have children for religious reasons, which implies a great saying "no" to your own selfish wants. Notice the author mentions nothing about 'celibacy'. This article is all about "selfish wants" and how to achieve them through the joys of sterility by design. "Path not chosen?" Path to emptiness is more like it.

[Antoninus]

The idea of creating more atheist, libertarian Objectivists is appealing.

Careful... your kids might rebel and become Bible-believing fundamentalist Christians - or even worse - Traditionalist Latin mass Catholics! Imagine that!

[apackof2]

If I choose to have children, they will be little
atheists, little Objectivists and little libertarians. And they will have a sense of humor, too.

Really? do you think you can always control the choices that your children make?

You have alot to learn

[Storm Orphan]

I've met enough Catholics that though I'd disagree with their decision, I'd respect their decision
and freedom of thought.