The dilemma of happy marriage beyond sex and companionship.

The last figure from Thinking Fast and Slow, by David Kahneman, shows that life satisfaction peaks at the time of marriage and then goes precipitously down.

Kahneman writes that on one hand, marriage creates life satisfaction because it provides access to regular enjoyable sex. On the other hand, it requires "more time for doing housework, preparing food, and caring for children."

This is a typical trade-off that falls apart over time as family and household commitments grow. Solutions? I think they are somewhat straightforward: babysitters, house help, and a network of friends outside of home. Since $75K a year seems to be the threshold for happiness money can buy, any money made above it would be best invested in household services.


From a problem-solver perspective, this is a standard dilemma that can be solved by using separation principles (in Space, Time, Action.)
Should be a good exercise for the Principles (BUS 74) class.