Median age for marriage hits peak
Categories: Love & sex, In the news, Playground bureau
Men and women are waiting longer than ever before to tie the knot, according to new data from the U.S. Census, which indicates that the median age for marrying is 26 for women and 28 for men. That's the highest median age since the the Census started keeping track in the 1980s.The reason for the delays? Career, finances ... a whole host of reasons. But some say people should wed in their 20s, so they can "grow up together" and begin having kids during a woman's prime child-bearing years. On the opposite side of that coin is the opinion that folks who wait until they are almost 30 or older bring more maturity to the relationship -- and more economic stability -- resulting in a lower divorce rate among older newlyweds.
I was 30 when I put my white dress on and walked down the aisle, and 33 when I had my first child. Our "delay" didn't have any specific reason, except the fact that my husband waited five years to propose. I was anxious to get married well before that, but looking back I realize that it was the best decision we could have made.
We're both secure in who we are, and we had established careers and identities outside of our relationship. For me, having a strong sense of self makes it a lot easier not to get lost in the hamster-wheel lifestyle that can be marriage and parenting.
That said, sociologists believe there isn't really an "ideal age" for matrimony. So hey, you sexy 60-year-old! It's never too late!
How old were you when you got married or popped the question? Was your age a factor? Why or why not?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CHYNNA 11-10-2008 @ 8:03PM
I was 18 when I got married. I wanted to have my children early, get them through school early, see my grandchilden and be able to run around with them. My oldest is now 18 and will bring in my first grandbaby sometime in March. I am not yet 40 and in really good shape. No one believes that I even had 4 children. I will retire on time and not worrying about putting anyone through college, or high school for that matter, when I'm 50! I see 48 and 50 year olds at my job having 2 years olds they cannot keep up with. What's the discipline going to be like when that child is around 16? Will they still be able to keep up then?
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Cat 11-11-2008 @ 1:16AM
You're funny. You have a pregnant 18 year old and you're asking about other people's discipline. You ever hear the saying about people in glass houses?
Emily 11-11-2008 @ 9:41AM
I was 14 when I met my husband (who was 16), 23 when we got married, and 31 when we had our first child. We don't rush into anything!! But it was perfect for us. We have grown and changed together and couldn't be closer. It wouldn't work for everyone, but it's been wonderful for us!
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