Saturday, October 27, 2012

Young Love?

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a large fortune must be in want of a wife."
- Pride & Prejudice, chapt. I

Recently I heard, repeatedly, that the marriage age is rising. People are waiting for their careers to take off before saying "I do."

That, at least, is what the statistics say. I find it hard to believe. Most of the people I was friends with in college are married now. And most of them either just graduated or are still in college. Some married at 18. All are well below the 25+ age the statistics cite.

I've grown up believing that waiting was the mature thing to do. Wait until I graduate, then wait until I have a job, then wait until I'm independent, and living on my own. And then, and only then, I can think about marriage. To marry or even date before that point would be irresponsible.

That's what my parents instilled in me, and why I am so resistant to the thought of marrying young. Is it mature and responsible to wait...or selfish? Am I waiting, as I've said, because relationships take energy that with my growing business I would be unable to give? Or am I waiting because being single is easier? I have only to think of myself, and not of the happiness of another, after all...

I doubt I'll change my stance. I don't feel ready, and I've always trusted that when the time was right, Papa would let me know. Still, it's something to think about.

2 comments:

  1. I think it's one of those things that is going to vary from person to person. For some folks it might be the wise, mature and responsible thing to do to wait. For others, it may be God's plan for them to marry young and before they have everything figured out. It seems like a foolish thing to do, but who knows? Maybe they wouldn't be able to get that start and firm footing if they didn't have a constant companion by their side to help them. There isn't a "one size fits all", I don't think... because each person gets their own awesome story written by God =)

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  2. Well said, Amanda--and I quite agree. :)

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