"80 stress and hardships on a daily basis. Thus some of the health benefits of longer life, less suicide, more stabl e health coverage, and less illness and addiction. Also, marrieds have more social support, more continuity in long - term relationships, and especially more closeness for men in intimate family relationships. Husbands are less likely to abuse and be violent toward their wives than are boyfriends and partners. Married people have clear life - long goals and tend to buy homes, invest, and plan for retirement more than others. The government and military recognize spouses and reward them with tax breaks, benefits , and other sources of coverage and support more than others. In later life, many elderly report that their family relationships are very supportive and important to them. Studies show that the elderly enjoy their human investment in their children and gra ndchildren that yields emotional and social rewards throughout their golden years. Known Benefits Enjoyed by Married Couples in Comparison to Non - Married Persons. 1. Less likely to become victims of crime 2. Less likely to commit crimes 3. Less addiction 4. Fewe r accidents (especially among men) 5. Less suicide 6. Better stress management because spouse is a buffer to life's stresses 7. More social and emotional support (less loneliness) 8. More intimate connections to family members 9. Long - term continuity in family relationships of children, in - laws, grandchildren, etc. 10. Lower risk of domestic violence for women 11. Longer life expectancies 12. More and better self - rated sex 13. More emotional and financial security (for both spouses) 14. Less unce rtainty about direction of life and goals 15. More cost effective to live in married versus single circumstances 16. Tax deductions 17. More military benefits 18. More accumulated belongings and investments 19. More medical benefits 20. More legal rights To legally marr y in the United States today, one simply goes to the local county or state office and applies for a state marriage license. The state also claims authority in granting divorce rights to couples. Divorce is the legal dissolution of a previously granted marr iage. Most marriages still endure, and the odds are that divorce won’t happen to most marriages. It is a myth that one in two marriages eventually ends in divorce. There are a few myths about U.S. divorce trends that will be dispelled in this chapter. You might have heard the myth of the Seven Year Itch where divorce happens prior to or shortly after the 7th year. Current government estimates indicate that about 75% of couples make their ten - year anniversary in their first marriage. The myths are false, bu t divorce does happen more"