After reading the linked paper[1] cited by the BBC and how they controlled for outside variables it looks like they just measured economic stability without say

After reading the linked paper[1] cited by the BBC and how they controlled for outside variables it looks like they just measured economic stability without saying they were. They controlled for race, education, part vs full time employment and nature of work (professional vs labor vs service) but not household income (!!!!!!). Though in their defense they admitted as much in the results. Couples where finances are stable enough that the person who didn't just pop out a kid can justify taking the time off are going to have the spare resources to maintain a marriage. They can afford all sorts of lifestyle crap that puts less stress on a relationship than living paycheck to paycheck in a double wide with a toddler running around causing problems. The correlation between stable finances and a stable marriage has been studied written about at length. [1] http://paa2019.populationassociation.org/uploads/190145 http://paa2019.populationassociation.org/uploads/190145