What is the age at which a person is truly ready for marriage? Marriage having the definition of an eternal tie through love of two individuals of the opposite sex, not the modern day hollywood definition of a fun filled fling soon followed by a file for divorce. I feel people shouldnt judge those who are mature enough to take on this commitment at a young age. It makes it even harder on the young couple and ruins what should be the happiest times in there life. True there are many couples who end in divorce but that happens with young couples as well as couples who get married at an older age. In the past people would get married in their early teens. Now that the requirement is 18, if a couple is truly mature enough why cant others be accepting and supportive?
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
I think that the age limit is truly a good thing. I'm not one to doubt true love, but it seems that most young couples are just beginning to experience relationships. Most people don't get it right on their first try (meaning that your first significant other doesnt always work out).
Most young people are convinced, however, that the first time they experience any type of infatuation, that they are "in love". And if we had no limit on the age, then kids that are still in high school would be getting married! Young people have not even began their own lives, so why should they be allowed to begin a joint life?
Also, a couple has to truly know each other. It's one thing to actually LOVE each other, but they have to know what makes the other tick, they have to be able to trust each other before putting themselves in a relationship where trust and understanding is vital, etc. Those who want to get married surely should take all of this into account. I'd say that the average age of maturity in this aspect would be around 17 or 18... but it's not like I go around and take polls. :P
"I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people."
-Van Gogh
I think that the age limit is a good thing, but perhaps not for the reasons others do. I think it's important for people to enjoy their childhood and teens, and getting married before you are legally an adult kinda forces you into that adulthood.
I personally think that people should get married once they are able to support themselves. Whether that comes at 18 or 35 depends on the person. Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule. Say, someone who wants to go into medical school, and graduates from high school at 18. They won't be able to make money to truly support themselves through med school (well, most people can't), so I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to get married during or shortly after med school.
~C
Visit my blog.
Although it is definitely not a true cross section of young engaged couples, MTV's "Engaged and Underaged" gives some striking examples of how unready young people are to get married. Couples on that show aren't mature enough to make their relationships work. But I understand that MTV picks those couples specifically for the drama of their realtionships.
Common sense is as rare as genius. ~Emerson