No Marriage Until You Are 26!
by jameswalsh on 2007-09-23
In 2001, it was 30.6 years for men and 28.4 for women (as compared to 24.6 and 22.6 respectively in the early 1970s). Obviously the average age for divorce has also increased proportionately. At present, the figures are 31 and 29 years respectively. These figures mean that people in the UK do not believe in getting married in their earlier years. It also means that partners are getting used to the idea of living together or having a long courtship (to use a more old-fashioned and prim term). Taking the average time for premarital relations to be two to three years, it is certain that no one gets committed before 26. The days of the sweet young couple are over when people got married after high school.
The Statistics
It seems that the average male and female in the country experience their first intercourse at the age of 18. The increase in the marital age is a direct result of the decision of most couples to live together or at least have a long-term relation before marriage. In the post-war period (i.e. the 1950s and 1960s), couples marrying in their late teens were quite common. Getting married at an earlier age was, in fact, encouraged. Perhaps, there was a mixture of euphoria and insecurity in the air following the heavy losses suffered during the wars. The average silver screen romance of this period is in keeping with the statistics, and show young love blooming in both the USA and the UK.
Unfortunately, the statistics also provide a less sunny picture soon after. About one-tenth of the teenage brides of the 1960s got separated within five years of marriage. In the late 1980s, the proportion rose to one-fourth. Divorces were climbing in numbers, and so was the mean marital age (which takes into account remarriages too).
By the end of 2005, it was obvious that teen marriages were thought unwise by most people, belief in the institution of marriage itself had reduced (some do it as a gesture, rather than a duty), and divorces were common enough. The downside is that the number of single (and largely unemployed or under-employed) mothers is also on the rise, adding to the poverty burden of the nation. Most of the celebrity divorces taking place involved older men and women, once again, early marriage was definitely not on the cards. Men have been marrying at a later age compared to women â?? and this at least has been the steady trend for the past 150 years! When it comes to childcare, the mother still has the major role, too, as guardian of home and hearth, and devotes more time during both week days and weekends than the fathers. Remarriages were rising, and by the end of 2003, the average age of widowers getting married was a healthy 61, and 55 for women. Divorcee remarriage age has remained in the 40s since the beginning of the present century.
Twenty-six had been the average age for the male to get married during the 1950s and 1960s. Now it is the average age to enter a commitment-oriented relation.
Who Has More Chance?
So what do all those figures mean? Do couples who remain together for a long time prior to marriage have a better chance of understanding each other, or does it work out better when people come together at an older age and decide on marriage? These are the two options most commonly taken, given that the average age for marriage is increasing. The question is - which is the better, more stable option? The answer, however, is not as clear as the question.
Older couples have the benefit of greater general experience in their favour. A marriage is based on a persons approach towards life in general rather than attitude towards love alone. Sudden decisions, impulsive and unreasonable behaviour is, therefore, less when people get married at a later age. These couples also seem to have a greater respect for each other professionally and are good decision makers when it comes to children. Sadly enough, the chance of adultery is also higher in these marriages. There is a feel of an adventure, of something exciting happening suddenly in the course of routine, respectable and reasonable family lives. While some of these are mere momentary flings and the couple can reconcile again, in some cases, the marriage breaks apart irretrievably. The other problem is with attitudes. Most people have a pretty decided pattern of likes, dislikes and a certain lifestyle by the time they are 30. This is where the rigidity factor comes in as individuals find it difficult to adjust to each otherâ??s preferences and opinions.
On the other hand, couples who have a long history of being lovers have grown up together, and know each other thoroughly, so compatibility is usually not an issue. Since they are taking the decision to marry after so many years together, it can be assumed that they know each other well and have realised that marriage is based on factors other than love too, if it is to work out in the long run. They usually respect each others professions, and giving the children a more stable life is often the base of these marriages. Of course, there is a flip side of the picture too. After years of spending time together, one may become bored or too habituated to a certain lifestyle, and want to break out of it. Many of these marriages become stale since the couple has been together so long that the romance has totally died out between them. Adultery happens in the hope of opening a fresh chapter, and unreasonable behaviour is an indication of the partners exhaustion with the marriage.
Who Wins?
The ones who stick through it. And no amount of research by the statistical bureau has unearthed the secret.
The Statistics
It seems that the average male and female in the country experience their first intercourse at the age of 18. The increase in the marital age is a direct result of the decision of most couples to live together or at least have a long-term relation before marriage. In the post-war period (i.e. the 1950s and 1960s), couples marrying in their late teens were quite common. Getting married at an earlier age was, in fact, encouraged. Perhaps, there was a mixture of euphoria and insecurity in the air following the heavy losses suffered during the wars. The average silver screen romance of this period is in keeping with the statistics, and show young love blooming in both the USA and the UK.
Unfortunately, the statistics also provide a less sunny picture soon after. About one-tenth of the teenage brides of the 1960s got separated within five years of marriage. In the late 1980s, the proportion rose to one-fourth. Divorces were climbing in numbers, and so was the mean marital age (which takes into account remarriages too).
By the end of 2005, it was obvious that teen marriages were thought unwise by most people, belief in the institution of marriage itself had reduced (some do it as a gesture, rather than a duty), and divorces were common enough. The downside is that the number of single (and largely unemployed or under-employed) mothers is also on the rise, adding to the poverty burden of the nation. Most of the celebrity divorces taking place involved older men and women, once again, early marriage was definitely not on the cards. Men have been marrying at a later age compared to women â?? and this at least has been the steady trend for the past 150 years! When it comes to childcare, the mother still has the major role, too, as guardian of home and hearth, and devotes more time during both week days and weekends than the fathers. Remarriages were rising, and by the end of 2003, the average age of widowers getting married was a healthy 61, and 55 for women. Divorcee remarriage age has remained in the 40s since the beginning of the present century.
Twenty-six had been the average age for the male to get married during the 1950s and 1960s. Now it is the average age to enter a commitment-oriented relation.
Who Has More Chance?
So what do all those figures mean? Do couples who remain together for a long time prior to marriage have a better chance of understanding each other, or does it work out better when people come together at an older age and decide on marriage? These are the two options most commonly taken, given that the average age for marriage is increasing. The question is - which is the better, more stable option? The answer, however, is not as clear as the question.
Older couples have the benefit of greater general experience in their favour. A marriage is based on a persons approach towards life in general rather than attitude towards love alone. Sudden decisions, impulsive and unreasonable behaviour is, therefore, less when people get married at a later age. These couples also seem to have a greater respect for each other professionally and are good decision makers when it comes to children. Sadly enough, the chance of adultery is also higher in these marriages. There is a feel of an adventure, of something exciting happening suddenly in the course of routine, respectable and reasonable family lives. While some of these are mere momentary flings and the couple can reconcile again, in some cases, the marriage breaks apart irretrievably. The other problem is with attitudes. Most people have a pretty decided pattern of likes, dislikes and a certain lifestyle by the time they are 30. This is where the rigidity factor comes in as individuals find it difficult to adjust to each otherâ??s preferences and opinions.
On the other hand, couples who have a long history of being lovers have grown up together, and know each other thoroughly, so compatibility is usually not an issue. Since they are taking the decision to marry after so many years together, it can be assumed that they know each other well and have realised that marriage is based on factors other than love too, if it is to work out in the long run. They usually respect each others professions, and giving the children a more stable life is often the base of these marriages. Of course, there is a flip side of the picture too. After years of spending time together, one may become bored or too habituated to a certain lifestyle, and want to break out of it. Many of these marriages become stale since the couple has been together so long that the romance has totally died out between them. Adultery happens in the hope of opening a fresh chapter, and unreasonable behaviour is an indication of the partners exhaustion with the marriage.
Who Wins?
The ones who stick through it. And no amount of research by the statistical bureau has unearthed the secret.
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