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The New York Times and The Today Show are reporting that more couples are sleeping in separate bedrooms. But is this a sign of suffering marriages, or a new dawn of healthy relationships?
We’re analyzing perspectives from NBC, The New York Times, Salon.com and Woman’s Day.
The Today Show cites a 2005 study and some newer information, and speaks with a family therapist who says this is a good thing because partners might have different sleeping habits.
“According to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly one in four American couples sleep in separate bedrooms or beds, and the National Association of Home Builders says it expects 60 percent of custom homes to have dual master bedrooms by 2015.”
“When you’re more well-rested you are more productive at work. You bring home that positive energy, and it impacts your relationship. ... You have more energy to spend time together. You have more energy to have sex.”
The show also interviewed Bruce Feiler, who recently covered the trend in The New York Times. He argues that separate beds are bad.
BRUCE FEILER: “Couples no long eat together, pray together, work together — sleeping together is almost the last bastion of togetherness in a relationship.”
Feiler wrote in his piece:
“If pillow talk dies, can throwing in the towel be far behind?”
But Salon says Feiler shouldn’t be generalizing — that relationships are couple-specific, and people shouldn’t submit to stigmas.
“We have plenty of superficial symbols of marital dedication and health… see also: bazillion-dollar blowout weddings… if you… put too much faith in the power of those norms, you're setting yourself up for failure.”
And a writer for Woman’s Day points out that, not too long ago, separate beds were the norm.
“...100 years ago, it was the status quo…”
What do you think of separate beds? Is the idea healthy or a sleep in the wrong direction?
Get more multi-source news from Newsy.com.
WRITER: Lauren Zima
PRODUCER: Newsy Staff
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