In this episode of The Lange Money Hour: Where Smart Money Talks, we welcome Linda Waite, the Lucy Flower Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago and Senior Fellow at NORC (an independent research organization affiliated with the University of Chicago), where she directs the Center on Aging. Her research focuses on sexuality, social connections and health at older ages. One of her current projects develops and tests a reconceptualized model of health at older ages. Linda is also the author of The Case for Marriage: Why Married People Are Happier, Healthier & Better Off Financially. This radio show discuses the five myths about marriage, the happiness and health gaps between married and unmarried people, the relationship between marriage and money — for instance, how married people spend and save differently than single people — and should people get married for the money.

TOPICS COVERED:

1. Introduction of Linda Waite, University of Chicago

2. Children Lose in Divorce, Financially, Materially and Emotionally

3. Single-Parent Families Have Fewer Resources, Less Parental Time

4. Parent’s Marriage to a New Partner Is Highly Stressful for Children

5. Less Is Required From Unmarried Couples Who Live Together

6. Young Children Can Be at Risk When a Mother Cohabitates

7. Cohabitation Is Rare Among Older Couples ‘Living Apart Together'

8. Married Couples Have Many Times More Assets Than Unmarried People

9. Living Separately Is Cheaper, But Not by Much

10. Married People Are Less Depressed, in Better Health, Have Better Sex

11. Wives Manage the Health Care of Their Husbands

12. Divorce, Poor Marriage Affect Woman’s Health More Than Men’s Health

To read the show transcript or listen to the MP3 file, http://bit.ly/2kWTTvb