Happier couples live in smaller towns

[LookAtThisPOst]

I had come across this interesting article that was referred to by another dating blog.

 

Happiness greater for people in small towns, de facto couples according to annual HILDA survey - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

Someone commented, jokingly, "Hey, perhaps we should all live in small towns?

 

However, this referred blog/article also instigated how men are more happy in marriages while women are happier single.

 

Basically, -- Men happier married versus Women happier single.

 

Someone commented on THIS saying that in MOST cases...women tend to do more of the giving in the marriage and the men, take it for granted. It's OFTEN times, the appreciation is rarely reciprocated by the man.

 

This is why you hear about men showing up at home and she's packed her bags or he finds a Dear John letter and he's telling all his friends, "She just LEFT me...out of the blue...just like that!"

 

Although these marriages/relationships go on for decades, it's a gradual wearing down of the lady in question.

 

So this kind of explains why men are happier in marriages while men just love remaining single?

 

Going back to the small town mentality, this is also true because...you're pretty much joined at the hip and I've witnessed this as I too, live in a smaller community.

 

Every married couple I've ever known...rarely have "me" time. There's no "girls night out" or anything because they are so involved with previous generations' families that had grown up in the same area with them.

 

Some living on the very same streets as each other in the same neighborhood. Spending time with nieces and nephews, etc.

 

I also suppose in smaller cities less than 1,000 in population there are less options, so you're kind of stuck marrying your recess playmate?

 

This may be considered more of a two-part post as one kind of ties into the other, but going back to the whole "Men are happier married vs. women are happy preferring the single life" and that women tend to cater more to the point that their husbands take it for granted happens more often than not?

 

After years of meeting the needs of her husband AND children...she rarely has time to do anything for herself and there would come a time to part ways with the husband after a long burn out...and start doing things for herself.

Edited December 16, 2016 by LookAtThisPOst

[Shanex]

Interesting post, surprised there's no replies.

 

Yeah, fewer 'temptation'.. We all know each other around here etc.

 

I live in a small town, and I assure you that I have countless stories of our "village cuckolds" around here.

 

Even a small town has a bigger town or cities nearby, right? The world is growing, the population at least, unless it is the Australian outback or Nebraska.

[carhill]

IDK, as happiness is such a personal and nebulous aspect....

 

As example, I've got a couple who are good friends, lived and worked in Manhattan most of their life, moved to Westport, CT later, then to NC and they often use the crudest comments and, to me, are so mean to each other but they feel quite happy and often laugh at things I might find completely offensive if experienced from a spouse.

 

One thing I've seen about big city couples I know is the stress factor, especially in California. Fast pace, lots of pressure, big money, lifestyle, go go go. I was helping one couple lay down an area rug and they were getting all bent just getting it set right. Everything was stressful and, to me, heh, grab a beer and relax. No biggie. However, that comes from purposely getting out of that lifestyle and moving to the forest. However, I didn't complain as they were so gracious as to offer a wayside room and board on my way out of the state. I couldn't live like that every day myself but maybe that's what happiness is to them. It's exciting, gets the blood flowing, whatever explanation. People define things differently.

 

I don't live in a community but the closest one has a bit over 1000 people and I'd be surprised if that is accurate. It's probably less. It's small enough that they run the tsunami siren to call the volunteer firefighters to a fire because most don't live in town. Who knows if they're happy. I can opine people seem a lot friendlier, even allowing for the usual attitude about Californians invading. I guess I don't seem like an invader, much.

 

Anyway, the closest neighbor is in his late 80's, motors around in his wheelchair cart thingie and tends to his similarly aged ill wife. Married for life. Nice shop. Retired machinist. My kind of guy. Are they happy? IDK, what is happiness when one gets that old? I note, a few decades younger, mostly being content. I was setting up the Christmas decorations and lights last night and wondered why the heck I was doing that with no one around. It made me happy. IDK if that's attractive to women. Haven't seen one in awhile other than the postlady. I'm sure she'll grow tired of bringing me packages. Not happy. Heh. That's life.

[cocorico]

We live in a remote rural village. Some people are happy. Some are unhappy. Others just get on with things and don't think about it too much. But it's Britain - misery is a national pastime.

[JohnAdams]

I was born in a small town. Lived there until I joined the militarily. Many of my best friends still live in the same small town. My best friend married his high school sweetheart. They are still married and very happy. I have several other friends from the same small town. Some still married some not. Not sure if the small town is a panacea of a good marriage. I do think in many cases, many of my friends are more content with a simple life. Perhaps a bit less competitive, perhaps a bit slower. Perhaps more of a community feeling. Small town or large city, not sure if in the end it makes that much difference. It is a case of remembering the true priorities of life. Families, not careers, status, or any kind of social standing. In my heart, I am and always will be a small town boy. Having saying that, I would never move back to my home small town.

[Els]

However, this referred blog/article also instigated how men are more happy in marriages while women are happier single.

 

Basically, -- Men happier married versus Women happier single.

 

Someone commented on THIS saying that in MOST cases...women tend to do more of the giving in the marriage and the men, take it for granted. It's OFTEN times, the appreciation is rarely reciprocated by the man.

 

This is why you hear about men showing up at home and she's packed her bags or he finds a Dear John letter and he's telling all his friends, "She just LEFT me...out of the blue...just like that!"

 

Although these marriages/relationships go on for decades, it's a gradual wearing down of the lady in question.

 

So this kind of explains why men are happier in marriages while men just love remaining single?

 

I'm not sure you understand what a de facto couple is - it refers to a couple that is living together. In such situations there isn't much difference in terms of 'giving', as any household chores that need to be done in a marriage also need to be done in a de facto relationship. Women in de facto relationships are not exactly 'single'.

 

But I agree with the article that de facto couples are much less likely to have children, which is the most likely factor for the difference.

 

People who prefer to live in small towns do tend to have a different mindset from people who prefer to live in cities. IMO, the former tend to be more easily content with what they have and happy to spend their lives that way, while the latter are always striving for better, always wanting to try new things. Both have their own pros and cons.