Nowadays, people wait till their 30s and late 20s to get married, some even get married in their 40s. People marry late these days because of school, the search for financial independence, the absence of a community and the hyper-independence of life in cities. What’s the most appropriate age to get married? The law requires that any person of legal age can get married. According to the law in most countries, the legal age is 18 years. This means that any functioning adult above 18 years old can get married without anyone’s consent, but should they?
Here are some benefits:
You opt out of the frustrating search for the one
The older you get, the more elusive ‘the one’ seems and the more frustrated you are that you can’t find him or her. The dating pool is extremely toxic, and it would be nice to opt out as soon as possible. Plus, if you find someone you love and the relationship is healthy, why wait?
Easier to give birth, plus more time to spend with your children
Scientifically, the chances of having children decrease as you get older. That includes the quality of a man’s sperm and a woman’s egg. When you get married early, you get to jump that hurdle fast. Also, when you marry early, you watch your children grow up in your youth. When your children are adults, you still have your life in front of you.
You build your life together
As long as you don’t marry a partner who stifles your career and goals, two are indeed better than one. You can both come together to join resources and create the life you both dream of.
Longer time to build a life together
Marrying early means that you have more time to build a life together with your partner. This can include starting a family, buying a home, and pursuing career goals together.
Shared experiences
Marrying early allows you to share more life experiences with your partner. This can create a stronger bond between the two of you and help you grow as a couple.
Health benefits
Studies have shown that married couples tend to be healthier than single people. This may be because married couples are more likely to take care of each other’s health and encourage healthy behaviours.
Financial stability
Marrying early can provide financial stability since two incomes can be better than one. It can also allow you to start building wealth together earlier in life.
Emotional support
Having a partner to rely on for emotional support can be incredibly beneficial, especially during difficult times. Marrying early can provide you with a partner who is committed to supporting you through all of life’s ups and downs.
It’s worth noting, however, that there are also potential drawbacks to marrying early. These can include limited life experience, less time to explore personal interests, and increased financial and emotional stress. Ultimately, the decision to marry early or later in life should be based on personal values and priorities.
The downsides of marrying early
You might feel like you have outgrown the marriage and get bored
People change. You will change, and your spouse will change. What happens when you wake up and realize he or she isn’t the same person you fell in love with? What happens if you find them boring and a tad irritating? How do you navigate that?
Children are huge responsibilities
Yes, babies are cute, but they are expensive, and they make a mess. Having a child or children will mean putting your needs on hold so you can take care of them. It might even mean slowing down your career projections.
Marriage limits your freedom
When you are single, you can travel anywhere, spend your money on whatever you want, and leave the house without telling anyone where you are headed, but all these changes when you get married. The truth is, we all need companionship. While some might find it early in life, others might have it later. Some might even find it many times in their lifetime, and that’s okay.
Limited life experience
Marrying early may limit your ability to explore the world and gain life experience before settling down with a partner. This can lead to feelings of regret or a sense of missing out on certain experiences.
Increased financial stress
Marrying early can create financial stress if you and your partner are not yet established in your careers or have limited financial resources. This can make it difficult to achieve certain goals, such as buying a home or starting a family.
Emotional stress
Marrying early can also create emotional stress if you and your partner are still figuring out who you are as individuals and how you fit together as a couple. This can lead to conflict, disagreements, and feelings of dissatisfaction in the relationship.
Limited personal growth
Marrying early can limit your ability to pursue personal interests and goals outside of the relationship. This can lead to feelings of being trapped or unfulfilled, especially if you and your partner have different interests or goals.
Higher risk of divorce
Studies have shown that couples who marry at a young age are more likely to divorce than those who marry later in life. This can be due to a lack of life experience, maturity, or compatibility issues.
Ultimately, the decision to marry early or later in life should be based on personal values, goals, and priorities. It’s important to consider both the potential benefits and drawbacks before making a decision.
