Study: Computers Pervade Marriage Life

By Lillian Kwon, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Computers are becoming increasingly pervasive in the lives of Americans almost to the point where one spends more time with a computer than their significant other.

A recent study found that eight in 10 Americans are more dependent on their computer than three years ago. Moreover, 65 percent of consumers are spending more time with a computer than with their significant other, according to a study by independent research firm Kelton Research.

"As computers become increasingly pervasive in our lives, our relationships with them can begin to seem almost as important as a relationship with a significant other," said Dr. Robi Ludwig, renowned psychotherapist, in the report.

Computers, like many other mediums such as television and entertainment, can be very addictive and "very dangerous to family life," Janice Crouse, senior fellow at the Beverly LaHaye Institute, the think tank for Concerned Women for America, told The Christian Post.

Assuming the statistics of the study are true, Crouse said, "It's a very common problem and a great temptation. And children suffer; spouses suffer."

Crouse called the study results a warning to families. "This is something that is another pitfall that people can fall into."

The family needs to work very hard in today's culture to stay strong and protect itself from all things that intrude, she added.

Today's culture is also seeing more women living single with increasing trends of cohabitation and divorce. A new study published in The New York Times found that for the first time in America, more women (51 percent)were living without a spouse. The study drew criticism from family groups and Christians who said the study was skewed.

In the study, "woman" was defined as those over the age of 15. The study also included in its count of women who live alone spouses of deployed military personnel.

If the study measured women over the age of 20, it would have found that 56 percent of women are married, Crouse highlighted.

Nevertheless, the weakening of the institution of family and marriage is nothing Americans should be concerned about, Crouse commented. Recent reports found that the majority of high school students plan to marry some time in their life.

"I don't think marriage is in danger of being overtaken by the single life."

In the big picture, although more women are putting off tying the knot and more people are growing relationships with their computers, marriage is still fairing well in America, Crouse believes.