What are your tips for a lasting and happy marriage?

Send us Your Views

A new Pew Research Centre study found an increasing number of American adults consider sharing household chores as very important in a successful marriage.

The study ranks it third in a list of nine items associated with successful marriages - ahead of children. Topping the list was faithfulness, with 93 per cent of respondents rating it very important, with a happy sexual relationship coming second on 70 per cent.

What are your tips for a lasting and happy marriage? Here is a selection of Your Views:

Bucklands Beach
The easiest way to ensure a successful marriage is to not marry an arse. Simple!

JT
It's quite simple - go back to the model of the 1950s where the wife would do all the household chores and have dinner on the table each night. The husband would go out and work and help with the kids in the weekend. This was perhaps the most content and happiest decade of the century, opposed to now when woman are supposed to work, manage the kids and still run the household. It doesn't work, it's too stressful and both the wife and husbands roles are now being blurred which caused stress and discontentment. The government should help the families that decide to raise their family this way via tax breaks, rather than just giving it women who go back to work or those who are stuck on the benefit. There are huge benefits both social and economic to raising sound family units.

Sharon
Definitely sharing the household chores. The majority of New Zealand women work and there is no reason why housework is the domain of a woman- it is simply the housework and needs to be done. I split from a long term relationship due to the fact I was working fulltime - took care of the children, was doing all the cooking and the housework - forget it! This is a deal breaker. Women are not here to run around after men any longer. On the positive side- keys to happiness - friendship, genuine caring, honesty, faithfulness and a good sexual relationship along with physical affection - keep people together. Many women no longer need financial support they are sorting that themselves - they want a mate, a friend and a lover.

Gav (Auckland)
Two simple words: 'Yes dear'.