Men Are Far More Likely to Abandon a Seriously Ill Spouse

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It started as an observation in a Seattle cancer ward, where oncologist Marc Chamberlain noticed that his male patients were often receiving steadfast support from their wives, while his female patients often didn't have husbands hovering at their bedsides. Based on this anecdotal evidence, Chamberlain decided to investigate divorce rates among couples where one person had recently been diagnosed with a serious illness. His findings raise troubling questions about the loyalty of the male sex. The study included diagnoses of both cancer and multiple sclerosis and found an overall divorce rate of nearly 12 percent, which is similar to that found in the normal population. But when the researchers looked at gender differences, they found the rate was nearly 21 percent when women were the patients compared with about 3 percent when men got the life-threatening diagnosis. The researchers suggest men are less able to commit, on the spot, to being caregivers to a sick partner, while women are better at assuming such home and family responsibilities [LiveScience]. However, the study did find that the divorce rate was lower in longer marriages.

Chamberlain notes that the study, which will be published in the journal Cancer, didn't have any information about how happy the marriages were to begin with. "All these patients were couples when we met them, but we don't know about pre-diagnosis marital conflicts that had been festering," Dr. Chamberlain said. "But the striking part is with life threatening illness, how often women are abandoned compared to men. That does not speak very well of my gender" [The New York Times].

The researchers say that doctors may want to advise couples to seek family therapy after the woman receives a serious diagnoses, and note that the medical benefits of having a committed spouse are real and measurable. Researchers also looked at the quality of life among the patients who separated or divorced. They found these patients used more anti-depressants, took part less in clinical trials, had more frequent hospitalizations, were less likely to complete radiation therapy and more likely not to die at home [Reuters].

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/...sly-ill-spouse/

[Nizzy 1]

I work with the Alzheimer's and Dementia population and there are many men who are devoted to their wives who are suffering with the disease. It brings tears to my eyes...

[AlHayatZween 2]

[Nikita2Charles 33]

This kinda brought to mind one of my favorite movie

THE NOTEBOOK!!

[Nagishkaw 510]

I work with the Alzheimer's and Dementia population and there are many men who are devoted to their wives who are suffering with the disease. It brings tears to my eyes...

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

Doesn't surprise me at all.

[mawilson 2,133]

Men are not exactly loyal even when everything's good... add a serious illness to the equation and they'll run for the hills.

[DEDixon 39]

Men are not exactly loyal even when everything's good... add a serious illness to the equation and they'll run for the hills.

or send her to her mother's house.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I left my last gf because she sneezed. I didn't want to take the chance that she might get a cold.

[Donna A 4]

and for years ive been hearing how bad the american woman is.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I left my last gf because she sneezed. I didn't want to take the chance that she might get a cold.

Good call.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Men are not exactly loyal even when everything's good... add a serious illness to the equation and they'll run for the hills.

That's quite the generalization there!

I was there for my mother, night and day, when she had breast cancer. And I'll be there for my wife, night and day, if she has any illness, terminal or no.

[Marilyn. 340]

my MIL had a couple of strokes and problems with her kidneys etc her husband took care of her til the day she died...

[Chica Yeyé 41]

This kinda brought to mind one of my favorite movie

THE NOTEBOOK!!

I love that movie, but it breaks my heart. Also, one called "Away from Her"

[mawilson 2,133]

Men are not exactly loyal even when everything's good... add a serious illness to the equation and they'll run for the hills.

That's quite the generalization there!

I was there for my mother, night and day, when she had breast cancer. And I'll be there for my wife, night and day, if she has any illness, terminal or no.

Well of course for your mother. You don't choose your parents.