Why Are Women Happier? Because They Don’t Have Wives!

Here’s a question that often crosses my mind: why do women seem happier than men? According to the 2022 Gallup survey, women consistently report higher levels of life satisfaction, even though they face significant daily challenges. The answer is simple: women don’t have wives. A sarcastic joke? Perhaps.

For instance, another survey from the American Time Use Study found that women spend almost twice as much time on household chores as men. But there’s something intriguing behind this humor that’s worth exploring further.

Picture this: a man comes home from work, sits on the couch, and complains about how tough his day was. Meanwhile, a woman might just have finished doing housework, helping the kids with homework, attending a Zoom meeting for work, or even ordering food via an app because there wasn’t time to cook. But who looks more relaxed? In many households, the emotional labor—those invisible but exhausting tasks—often falls on women’s shoulders. So if women appear happier, maybe it’s because they’ve long mastered the art of handling it all with a smile. An article in The Atlantic even notes that women’s ability to multitask is often their “secret weapon” for maintaining household harmony.

But let’s talk about men. Marriage is often described as “everlasting happiness” for many men. Yet, interestingly, a Pew Research Center survey shows that married men often report higher stress levels than their single counterparts, particularly due to increased financial and emotional responsibilities. Why? There’s a theory that men frequently rely solely on their partners for emotional needs. So, if the partner is busy or exhausted, men may feel like they’ve lost their emotional outlet. On reflection, perhaps the real secret to happiness is not having a wife.

This humor also reflects another reality: expectations in relationships.

In today’s world, many couples are adopting a more egalitarian approach. For example, some families now use tools like Trello or Google Calendar to divide household tasks and ensure the workload is evenly shared.

In the United States, many couples live this way. A friend once shared a story about how he and his wife had very different routines. His wife often managed everything—from deciding who picks up the kids to planning dinner menus. Meanwhile, the husband admitted he’d often “wait for instructions.” Sometimes, this created small gaps that became a source of humor in their relationship but also reflected how the burden often isn’t equally shared.

Women, aside from working full-time, also tend to think about this week’s grocery list, the kids’ doctor appointments, and even gifts for a niece’s birthday. Meanwhile, the husband might be busy…thinking about the NFL schedule. Not every man is like this, but enough to keep the stereotype alive.

Not all women are happy. Not all men are miserable.

In some urban communities in the U.S., couples are breaking these stereotypes by working with relationship therapists or attending communication workshops designed to foster better collaboration. Many couples successfully defy these stereotypes, sharing responsibilities and supporting each other.

Still, old patterns persist in modern relationships, keeping this humor relevant. Perhaps it’s not about having or not having a wife, but about how each person shares the load in a relationship in a more balanced way. Equality isn’t just about chores—it’s also about healthy communication and mutual appreciation for contributions.

To close, here’s an interesting story. A friend once said, “Whenever my wife leaves for a few days, the house gets messier. But somehow, I feel more at peace.” Perhaps that’s the paradox of happiness. Everyone wants a supportive partner, but sometimes happiness is found in those small spaces where no one demands anything from you.

So, are women happier because they don’t have wives? Maybe. But one thing is certain: this humor endures because, though sarcastic, it contains a small truth that makes people think while laughing.

However, this happiness also lies in the ability to let go of unrealistic expectations from a partner. As with post-betrayal relationships, elegance is often found in building a better life without relying too much on someone else for happiness. It’s not just about dividing responsibilities but having the courage to direct energy toward personal growth. Indeed, there is beauty in choosing not to care too much about things beyond control.

Ah, this reminds me of the song Independent Women, Pt. 1 by Destiny’s Child. This song celebrates women’s independence and strength, aligning perfectly with the theme of women finding happiness without relying too much on others.

The movie The Intern (2015) also relates to this article. It highlights gender equality, modern family dynamics, and a successful woman’s journey to balance work and personal life.