MTV's new reality series "Engaged and Underage" actually got me thinking about this.
One of my co-workers quit school (college) so that she could marry her high school sweetheart. She is only 19. He's 20. You wouldn't believe the ridicule this girl took for her decision. Our boss called her "stupid" in regard to this decision.
And our daughter is going to marry late this summer. She is 19 ... boyfriend is also 19. Our church gave them so much grief over this decision ('you're too young' ... 'you're not financially ready' .... you don't even have a place to live yet') that they called a pastor from another church to do the ceremony.
I feel that all people mature at different ages. Some 19 year old kids are ready. I know some 40 year olds who are not.
I know the statistics. I'm a social worker by profession. The younger you are ... the less likely the marriage has for success. The more financially set you are the greater is the likelihood for marital success. I know that younger adults have not become who they are going to be. But, shoot, don't we all evolve as we continually mature? I'm certainly not who I was 10 years ago either.
No they have not finished college. No they are not going to own a home ... they are going to have to rent an apartment. Their cars are beaters. Their silverware doesn't match. She won't have bone china. Is all that important to find marital happiness and longevity?
I'm throwing this out for different perspectives and experiences.