In a recent New York Times article, writer Bruce Feiler explores a supposedly emerging domestic trend – couples who live together, but sleep in separate quarters.  Feiler points to a recent study which found that 1 in 4 American couples spend their nights in separates bed or bedrooms, with many separate sleeping couples citing their need for a full night’s rest as the primary reason for the decision to forgo the traditional marital bed.  It seems that issues like snoring, differing wake up times, busy day time schedules and constantly ringing or vibrating cell phones are driving couples to move from one bed to two.

Feiler sees this trend as a problem, and declares war on so-called “Bed Divorce.”  He notes that sharing a bed also benefits the co-sleepers, such as by instilling feelings of security, and provides several tips for harmonious bed sharing.

I wonder if this trend is really such a bad thing.  The study cited by Feiler suggests that couples who choose separate sleeping arrangements due so because they get a better night’s sleep when they sleep alone.  Anyone who has suffered a streak of insomnia can tell you how difficult it can be to be a pleasant and productive person when sleep deprived.  Can it be that these separate sleeping couples choose to sleep alone for the good of the relationship?  If a couple functions better when both partners are well-rested, what harm is there in eschewing tradition?

What do you think: is a shared bed essential to a solid relationship?