With the Supreme Court’s ruling that legalized gay marriages throughout the United States, we have seen many same-sex couples get married to one another. Even before the Supreme Court’s decision, same-sex marriage was legal in most states, so it isn’t a concept that is entirely new to all of us. Many have tried to compare same-sex marriage to heterosexual marriage. David Letterman even had a comedic bit about it while he was the host of “Late Show With David Letterman.” He comically asked which person gets the bachelor party and which one has to go downstairs to check a suspicious noise in the middle of the night. While he said this in jest, what he said has the ring of truth.

Same-sex marriage is not the same as heterosexual marriage, and some gay couples have argued this makes their marriages easier. Most married women and men would say there are challenges in being married and living with someone of the opposite sex, but this is not something same-sex couples have to deal with. That doesn’t mean same-sex couples have everything easy, but it can make things less stressful.

Differences in the Sexes

Even beyond gender roles, men and women are wired very differently from one another. While there are always exceptions, you may notice men and women tend to handle conflict differently. The way a woman handles conflict and the way a man handles conflict might lead to a difference in opinion that can make it difficult when an argument does arise. If one person doesn’t want to talk about it while the other wants it resolved right now, you will run into issues. Those in a same-sex relationship may not experience this as often. Of course, because we are all very different people, some same-sex couples may still have the same issue.

Solving Conflict

In any relationship, there is going to be conflict. It doesn’t matter how long you have been together or how much you love each other, it’s going to happen. What’s important is how you handle the conflict. Studies have shown same-sex couples handle fighting much better than heterosexual couples do. There are several different reasons for this:

• The lack of gender roles may make it easier for conflicts to be resolved.
• Same-sex couples tend to be less defensive with each other than heterosexual couples.
• Many in same-sex relationships use humor as a way to diffuse the tension and solve the conflict.
• They also are more likely to listen to how the other is feeling so coming to a resolution is easier.

While the reasons for some of these findings are unknown, it has led to conflicts being more easily resolved.

Lower Divorce Rates in Gay Marriages

Reports have also shown that the divorce rate in same-sex marriages is about half the rate of heterosexual couples. This could be because same-sex couples have had to work so much harder to attain the freedom to marry, so they don’t want to waste the opportunity. It is probably also because of how much easier conflicts are resolved, as discussed above.

Gay Marriages Are More Positive

In general, same-sex couples are more positive about their relationships than heterosexual couples. They tend to be happier, though they also tend to be less affectionate. Still, this higher rate of happiness in same-sex couples is another reason why people think same-sex marriages are often better than heterosexual marriages.

Same-sex couples face many challenges. They have fought long and hard for their right to marry. They often deal with negativity from family members and friends. But they haven’t let that stop them from being happy. Because of this, some think same-sex marriages are better than heterosexual marriages in many ways.