Same-Sex Couples Happier Than Heterosexual Couples Reports Major Study

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Same-sex couples are happier and more content than heterosexual couples, according to a major new study by the Open University, the UK’s largest academic institution.

“LGBQ participants (lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer) are more generally positive about and happier with the quality of their relationship and the relationship which they have with their partner,” the study, which comes out today, finds.

“Heterosexual parents are the group least likely to be there for each other, to make ‘couple time’, to pursue shared interests, to say ‘I love you’ and to talk openly to one another.”

The study of 5000 people conducted over a two year period was funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council.

The Independent reports the study found that “mothers were the least likely group to be satisfied with their partners,” but were “significantly happier with life than any other group.”

“From this it could be inferred that children are the primary source of happiness for women rather than a partner,” it said, “something that is corroborated by other survey data”. Fathers, though, were more likely to complain of a lack of sexual intimacy in the relationship and – confronted with the statement “my partner wants to have sex more than I do,” 40 per cent of mothers agreed or strongly agreed with the sentiment compared with just 10 per cent of fathers.

Dr Jacqui Gibb, co-author of the report, said: “Grand romantic gestures, although appreciated, don’t nurture a relationship as much as bringing your partner a cup of tea in bed or watching TV together.”

Suggesting actions speak louder than words as far as loving relationships are concerned, the people surveyed said it was the things that their partners did for them that made them feel most appreciated. These included:

1. Says thank you and notices my achievements.

2. Buys thoughtful gifts and shows kind gestures – a cup of tea in bed was especially appreciated by mothers.

3. Talks with me and listens.

4. Physical affection, with cuddles and foot massages featuring prominently.

5. Shares the household chores and/or child care.

Calling it “one of the biggest studies ever of relationships in Britain,” The Huffington Post notes the study “has revealed that if you want to be as happy as possible, you’re better off not having kids.”

Childless men and women are more satisfied with their relationships and more likely to feel valued by their partner, the research project by the Open University found.

But researchers also discovered that women without children were the least happy with life overall, whereas mothers were happier than any other group even if their relationships faltered.

The study also found that same-sex couples are still uncomfortable displaying affection in public, from hand-holding to kissing hello or goodbye, for fear of public disapproval.

“I don’t think we’ll ever feel 100 per cent comfortable in public as a couple,” one 26-year old man in a same-sex relationship said.

 

Image by Ivan McClellan via Flickr