Reality: I understand the effectiveness of popular media’s brainwashing on women, but ladies, please know this is patently false. Good men do exist, and they’re everywhere!!! They’re driving your bus to work, they’re delivering your mail in the office and at home, they’re calling you to collect that bill (lol), they exist. Over 100,000 men get married EACH DAY…run the numbers on that over a year, that’s a lot of good men.
Reality: This is an intimacy-eroding myth. If your sex life is good, it will rank of low importance, however, if unfulfilled, it becomes a very big issue. Sex allows us to experience a quality level of closeness, vulnerability and sharing with our partners.
Reality: This is the most misquoted figure in the U.S. According to divorcestatistics.org the divorce rate is LESS than 50% and closer to 45%. I’ve also read other studies that show the rate to be at 48%. Bottom line, it’s UNDER 50%, meaning that the cup is half full – most people stay married. It’s also important to note that the divorce rate has steadily dropped since 1996.
Reality: There are more crazy people per capita at your church. With nearly 50% of the single population now using online dating sites, it’s fair to say online dating is a reflection of offline dating. Don’t let a few bad stories deter your online hopes, numbers don’t lie: 1 in 6 marriages now come from online.
Reality: CASUAL SEX DOES NOT EXIST! The notion of simply having casual sex and not catchy “feelings” (or anything else, like an STD) is false. Studies from leading biological anthropologist Helen Fisher show that sexual encounters trigger romantic love.
Reality: A healthy person is complete in herself. Couples do not complete each other, they complement each other.
Reality: Well, if you’re referring to relationship books, you may have a point. However, books are not the #1 source of content. Most relationship themed content is consumed via social media (blogs, twitter, etc), and men are arguably just as, if not, more active than women in this category.
Reality: No one is perfect. We must be careful to differentiate between a partner with quirks and one with a serious problem. Serious problems that are destructive and abusive include substance abuse and mental/physical abuse. Unlike idiosyncrasies, such as he likes to keep the toilet seat up and is sloppy, these are behaviors you should learn to live with.
Reality: We always hear opposites attract then attack. Therefore, many are convinced that finding their exact replica is the best strategy for a long lasting relationship. While it’s helpful to have a lot in common with your significant other, maintaining one’s individuality is important. Recognize that a relationship is far more enjoyable when you’re with someone who enriches your life, not simply reflects it.
Reality: There has never been a legitimate research study published to show the majority of men (or women) cheat. A matter of fact, the most extensive study ever completed on infidelity and marriage by the University of Chicago indicated that less than 5% of men and 3% of women cheat annually.
