Married men enjoy better health when they are old: Here's why

Whether to tie the knot or not has become a serious matter of debate in our modern society. It is generally assumed that the young generation prefers to stay away from getting hitched. However, a recent research study conducted by the University of Toronto would surely make the men, who wish to get married, really happy. Compared to unmarried men, married men tend to enjoy better physical and mental health in old age, says the study. The study was conducted between 2011 and 2018, in 7000 middle-aged and old Canadians. The researchers keenly observed who enjoyed a healthy and happy old age. Those who didn’t suffer from severe diseases and mental and emotional issues that could affect a person’s daily life as well as those who enjoyed a high amount of happiness and good physical and mental health were considered as experiencing a fulfilling old age.

The researchers observed that the old age of married men seemed happier. However, the report also observed that marriage didn’t significantly influence the life of women in their old age. Moreover, the report assumes that the men may be enjoying better old age because of the encouragement they receive from their partners to give up smoking and to lead an active life. Family, kids and an active social life too are important factors that lead to happiness and health. Unmarried men may be socially aloof and their physical and mental health too may be affected. The report was published in the International Social Work Journal.