An interesting study from New Zealand says it does…
Satoshi Kanazawa, a psychologist at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, compiled a database of the biographies of 280 great scientists, noting their age at the time when they made their greatest work.
[…]
Within five years of making their nuptial vows, nearly a quarter of married scientists had made their last significant contribution to history’s hall of fame.
“Scientists rather quickly desist (from their careers) after their marriage, while unmarried scientists continue to make great scientific contributions later in their lives,” says Dr Kanazawa.
[Source: ABC News]
Well, I’m not really sure about that, I don’t think it tames genius or turns off the tap as the study says. I just think that in many cases being a researcher or a pioneer in something doesn’t really pay well enough, and with the person’s new obligations, they prefer to take on something more financially rewarding instead of something more professionally/scientifically rewarding.
In the end, I think it boils down to the person’s nature and personality, whether they’re the kind that takes risks and puts everything on the line for their purpose or whether they’re the kind that takes the safe way to financial stability.