Men Married to Smart Women Live Longer

From Rev. Elisheva Clegg

When I saw this title above, it caught my attention. It set off a lot of bells, one of which is always noticeable. Namely, these studies are always about how “men are benefited by the presence of women.” Without getting into a more pointed conversation, it’s always about male enhancement to some degree. I assume you get my drift.

I receive a lot of newsletters, blog entries, and even do some searches for studies which are on-going to enlighten and/or strengthen relationships. Periodically, we even ask our network of readers to participate in a UVA researcher’s study to add to the knowledge base. You may remember the request of a few months ago regarding couples who were not yet married, and had never been married.

Actually this subject article was forwarded to me by my husband with notes to my portable computer. He said, “You see, I’m in for a very long life!” He really does believe that flattery will always get him somewhere. After reading the part about highly educated, he wondered how many more years it might add to his life that he married a smart woman who did not begin higher education until she approached sixty years of age, and then added a couple of degrees.

Of course he is always saying that he knew I had potential, but had hoped I would not learn English (the only language he knows proficiently) in order to eliminate debate. He actually thought that since English would be my third language that it would be fifty years until I really caught on. Boy was he shocked after one year.

He did add that it takes a very smart guy to know to marry a smart gal, for which he did not need a study to confirm. He is always saying something of that nature when he begins to get hungry. Some people are so predictable.

The article, which is based on a Swedish study, was posted by Dr. Mercola from his newsletter. Perhaps it may interest you, especially the male readers, to know how profoundly thankful you should be if the girl you married is empowered to take you those extra miles. The article is viewable here:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/12/08/Men-Married-to-Smart-Women-Live-Longer.aspx ) on December 8, 2009 in which he says:

“A study has determined that for men, long life and good health have nothing to do with the man’s education and everything to do with his wife’s. Men married to smart women live longer. The effect may relate to skill at processing advice about healthy life styles and passing it on. Educated women are more likely to share their good lifestyle habits. These habits could include healthy food choices, exercise routines, and risk avoidances.”

He continued to say:

“To be married to a woman with high intellect can indeed stimulate a man and make him live longer, though perhaps it’s through daily conversation and interaction and not just through the stomach. There is another crucial factor to a healthy lifestyle and that is one’s emotional state.”

Now some of my thoughts while toying with this item. Considering how expensive it is to get affordable health insurance, men married to intelligent educated women should get a big discount. After all they live longer and are in good health, and as a result rarely having to use their insurance. Women should get an even bigger discount since they are the reason for men’s health and longevity.

Let’s for a moment imagine the law would require insurance companies to offer such an enrollment possibility. How would the insurance enrollment forms read? What would the required level of the women’s education have to be before one would qualify? Would they require an IQ Test? Would an M.D. receive a bigger discount than a PhD, and in what field? What if the new wife, highly educated and intelligent, is marrying a damaged product because wife number one lacked the qualifications and accreditations? Instead of extending her husband’s life she has caused him ulcers, high blood pressure and post traumatic stress syndrome (so he claims).

Oh my – what a can of worms these insurance possibilities would open. A whole new specialty of law suits would pop up to the delight of attorneys everywhere ready to prove to the insurance company that their client is not just pretty, but also pretty smart. Granted, she has only a PhD in Animal Hypnosis and Animal Past-Life Regressions. But according to the attorney she has the potential to keep “him” happy, healthy, and reaching an old age.

Oh, I almost forgot, the article did say that there is another crucial factor to a healthy lifestyle, and that is one’s emotional state. I guess the research on this subject is still ongoing. Is it possible that there is something more needed for longevity of the husband? And where is the research about the wife’s healthy, happy longevity needs?

Wouldn’t that require for the husband to have some kind of degree, brain and common sense? Or is one pill of Viagra enough?

I searched the internet for any studies concerning women’s needs for longevity, but I have not found anything. Not even a female version of Viagra – although they say they are in the process of working on it.

Is it just me that feels like somebody missed the boat on this whole concept of research?

When you find those studies that enhance, elevate, stimulate, invigorate, appreciate and elongate women …please share with EVERYONE! Love…Rev. Elisheva