Gay couples without kids have happiest relationships, survey finds

Couples without kids -- especially gay couples without kids – have the happiest relationships, according to a new survey out of England.

But heterosexual couples with kids, and especially mothers, are happiest “with life,” the same survey found.

The survey, conducted by researchers at Open University in the United Kingdom, posted its results online this week accompanied by a 96-page report that dives deep into intensely personal feelings about relationships, sex, religion and children, and aims to answer such timeless questions as, what makes people feel happy and fulfilled in love and life?

“Non-heterosexual participants are more positive about and happier with the quality of their relationship...than heterosexual participants,” according to the survey, which later added: “Heterosexual parents are the least likely to be there for each other, to make ‘couple time,’ to say ‘I love you’ to each other, to talk about everything and to pursue shared interests.”

The survey of nearly 4,500 adults, titled “Enduring Love? Couple relationships in the 21st Century,” also found that:

--Mothers are nearly twice as likely to say a child is the most important person in their lives, while fathers are more likely to reserve that perch for their partners.

--”Poor communication” was the No. 1 answer to the question: “What do you like least about your relationship?” Arguing and conflicts, and disputes over how to divide up childcare and housework were Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.

--Simple gestures, such as saying “thank you,” offering up sweet compliments, and just plain ol’ listening and being supportive were some of the top ways to make a partner feel loved and appreciated.

The results of the online survey offer up one of the latest snapshots on the way we live and love today, and how much that has changed, including a new analysis that found that more married women in the U.S. are not having children.

What do you think is the key to a happy relationship?

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