Trendspotting: Happily Married
Nag, Nag, Nag
Stop your nagging and maybe, just maybe, save your marriage
Want the wrecking ball to swing right on past your marriage even as it seems to be obliterating so many others? If for no other reason, you may want to stay married for better health. Divorce is linked with declining health, especially among those aged 35 to 41. (Older divorcees appear to be less damaged.) There are lots of ways to increase your likelihood for a happy union, some painless, some requiring potential discomfort. Here are some expert-approved ideas: Cuddle your partner after sex, express gratitude freely, lavish lots of attention on your relationship, and, whatever you do, put a stop to all that nagging. Some psychologists say nagging is an enemy of love; as toxic to a relationship as infidelity or financial troubles because it makes your partner feel like a child. Nevertheless, so many of us repeatedly ask for what we want from our partner because we have a perception that we won’t get it otherwise. In the end, arguing about too much nagging (or “fighting about fighting”) can overshadow the real problems; such as perhaps, the problematic nature of the accusation of nagging. That’s right; there are those who say nagging is a sexist construct, primarily applied to women who have the gall to expect hubbies to shoulder their fair share of the household work. We don’t mean to nag—but can’t we all just get along?




