Written By |
The findings suggest that friendship, shared humor, and comfortable silences are far more critical to sustaining long-term relationships than traditional expectations like exclusivity
Search
Monogamy is no more crucial to marital happiness than watching TV together, according to a new survey of couples who have been together for at least a decade. The findings suggest that friendship, shared humor, and comfortable silences are far more critical to sustaining long-term relationships than traditional expectations like exclusivity. Surprisingly, monogamy only slightly outranked country walks when it came to relationship success.
What really matters in long-term relationships?
The survey, which polled 2,000 people in relationships lasting 10 years or more, found that friendship was the most commonly agreed-upon factor for relationship longevity, with 80% of couples considering it essential.
Other key elements included:
Notably, over half (56%) of respondents said passion is overrated in relationships.
Sex, Secrets, and Surprises
While intimacy ranked low in this survey, past research has suggested that having sex seven times a month contributes to happiness. Another 2023 study of 2,000 long-term couples found that: 43% believed having no secrets was key to a happy marriage. 31% advised never going to bed angry. Meanwhile, a six-year study of 2,500 couples revealed that age gaps, previous relationships, and smoking habits significantly impacted relationship longevity. Researchers found that:
What Doesn’t Matter?
Interestingly, the study found that country of birth, religious background, and education levels had no significant impact on relationship longevity. The survey, commissioned by furniture retailer DFS, highlights how modern relationships prioritize emotional connection over traditional expectations—challenging the long-held belief that monogamy and passion are the cornerstones of a successful marriage.
Torch Media Africa
