From the book:

Stress and the Care of the Self

Mandala Key Exercise

The Roots of the Tree
(finding your purpose and passion)

The Fruit of the Tree

(Changing your life)

The Layers of Marriage

The Marriage Survey

Newsletters
January 09
February 09
 

How to Live Without Losing Your Life


  Other Writings










55 - 65 years of age

The majority of respondents 55 to 65 years of age earned an average of 30-60,000 dollars, the majority were unemployed and have at least a Bachelor's degree.

They spent an average of 5+ hours a week with friends, and 90% had at least one parent who was deceased.

100% of this age group knew people who had been married for 25+ years, and 30% of the respondents in this age range were in a monogamous (but not married) relationship, 20% were married and 20% were widowed.

When asked to rate the truth of the following statements:
  • I am a good person.
  • I am a good listener.
  • I have a good life.
  • I am a good lover.
  • I am a good friend.
  • I am a good partner in a relationship.
  • I am a good worker.
  • I like spending time alone.

100% of the respondents in this age category felt that all of these statements were most likely true.

The majority spent 5+ hours a week watching Drama or Comedy on television, and spent an average of 4+ hours a week alone.

50% reported rarely buying on impulse.
60% said they did not use recreational drugs (including nicotine).

50% felt that they did have a religious identity, and 70 % of all respondents never attending services with 10% attending on daily basis in a religion different from the one they were raised in.

100% of this age group reported feeling a strong political identity.

100% of this age group reported voting in elections on all levels within the past four years.

90% of this age group considered themselves to be well informed on current events.

When asked to rate the truth of the following statements:
  • I do not fear dying.
  • Silence in conversation does not bother me.
  • I enjoy other people's company.
  • Other people like me.
  • I am comfortable with the way I look.
  • I do not mind change.

The majority of responders in this age group felt like these statements were somewhat true.

When asked to rate the truth of the following statements:

  • I do not fear dying.
  • Silence in conversation does not bother me.
  • I enjoy other people's company.
  • Other people like me.
  • I am comfortable with the way I look.
  • I do not mind change.
  • I do not mind getting older.


The majority of the group felt that these statements were mostly untrue.

There was no consensus on the truth of the following statements. Equal numbers of this age group felt these statements were completely false, completely true and neither false or true:
  • Marriage is a patriarchal invention that is based on the suppression of women's rights.
  • Marriage is a creation of institutionalized churches to control populations through guilt associated with sin.
  • Marriage was originally a business and diplomatic arrangement which serves no purpose today.
  • Marriage is a religious rite

The majority of this age group felt the following statements were most likely untrue:
  • Marriage is an outdated institution that encourages romantic illusions.
  • Marriage is a sign of the emotional maturity.
  • Marriage is a privilege.
  • Marriage is a necessity to economic success.
  • Marriage is a moral union formed within a chosen faith
  • Marriage is one of the 'rites of passage' of adulthood.


The majority of this age group felt the following statements were most likely true:

  • Marriage is a legal union that grants certain economic and legal rights to its members.
  • Marriage is a social institution that grants social validity to a relationship not otherwise available.
  • Marriage is a celebration of commitment to each other and a promise to remain together.
  • Marriage is a universal right.

This age group perceived married people as more likely to:
  • own their own homes
  • not live longer
  • not be healthier
  • be less likely to take risks
  • be less conservative
  • not be happier
  • not handle stress better
  • not experience greater fulfillment and happiness in life
  • not be more optimistic
  • show their age faster
  • lose their individuality
  • be aware of current events
  • be seen as more trustworthy
  • not have good sex lives
  • not be more generous
  • be less spontaneous
  • not have a stronger sense of morality and ethics

When asked to respond to a series of questions that allowed for them to write in their own answers, the majority of this age group responded that:
  • Married people give up their individuality and gain emotional security.
  • That being married allowed people to certain legal and tax rights.
  • That the benefits of marriage were mostly tax and legal benefits and social approval.
  • That the purpose of being married was to gain social acceptance and legal benefits.
  • Commitment and compassion were identified as the two most important elements of a relationship.


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Cassandra Tribe
c.2000-09
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