Marriage in Your Twenties Isn’t So Abnormal Anymore

Past Divorces Push College Students to Sincerely Say Their Vows

Most college students aren’t thinking about marriage. Or they are but for the “future”, you know, “after college”. I’m not one of those students. I have been dating my fiancé since my junior year of high school. I didn’t see marriage in my near future at the time, but when he asked me last June, I couldn’t imagine saying no. Talking to others both older and my age about my engagement causes me to wonder why young marriage is so looked down upon?

I understand that attending college and getting married don’t normally go hand-in-hand. They are two major events in a person’s life that both require time, effort, thought and a lot of money. College is an important time of personal growth and development in life, while marriage is the act of choosing to spend that life with someone you love. To older generations, getting married while in college may be the equivalent of getting married too young, but in today’s society more college students are deciding that taking the plunge shouldn’t always wait on the matter of time.

In today’s world marriage vows aren’t often as sacred as they used to be compared to my grandparents era. During that time, vows spoken were meant and both people went into the marriage believing that they could, and would, work through problems and difficulties together instead of utilizing the fall-back plan of divorce. Since divorce is so very common, it may be the hidden pushing factor for people in their twenties to get married with confidence instead of doubt. A large majority of students come from families who have suffered from divorce and instead of allowing their past to create a fear of marriage, they declare instead to be stronger than the generation that raised them, both being certain in their choices.

I completely understand the reactions I receive occasionally when college students my own age realize that I’m getting married. Though most express joy that I seem so confident and happy, others are curious as to “why now?” I personally don’t think I should have to wait two more years to marry my best friend when we’ve already spent three years together. One common “mistake” people claim is made by getting married in their twenties is that those tying the knot will grow apart as they continue to mature. I agree that is a valid point, on the other hand though, growing with someone I love from a younger age gives us more time to grow together. For example, I will have a partner to help my moral when classes get difficult and giving up on school looks good. When the time comes to search for a permanent job, I will also have someone to aid my application completion for the perfect location and salary. Speaking of money, it is also nice to know that I will have financial support with an extra income right after I graduate and not have to live in an apartment with roommates until I have enough saved up. Plus we would have a few extra years to save, adjust and plan for starting a family. Though not all college students are thinking about marriage, I am and I feel lucky that both of these major life experiences can be shared.