Saturday, January 30, 2010

The New Marriage Rule: Age Matters

I recently read this article in the new Cosmo that claims that when it comes to being in a successful marriage the age you (the girl) got married matters. They set the magic number at 25; however I didn't quite understand if they were suggesting that magic number to be the minimum age or the prime age.

So why 25?

Turns out, the more years of higher education a woman has under her belt on her wedding day, the lower the chances that she’ll get divorced…and by 25, you’re more likely to have earned a degree or two. “Educated women tend to be more confident about who they are and less willing to settle for a man who doesn’t meet their standards,” explains Terri Orbuch, PhD, author of Five Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage From Good to Great.

I can relate to that statement. Not that I define myself by my academic achievements, but it's definitely a contributor to my self-confidence.

Odds are that by 25 you’re also supporting yourself, so there’s less incentive for you to rush into marriage because you’re seeking financial security from him.

Makes sense! At this point in life I'm not financially independent, but I know that in the future I will have the means to be. I would never rush into a marriage for financial security....maybe other types of security would cause me to be rash and jump into something, but it definitely wouldn't be financial security!

One of my friends who got married young was pretty blunt about the fact that financial security was a big part in her decision.

At 25, you’ve had time for some crucial life experiences, including a relationship or two that may have improved your Mr. Right radar.

Now that I can definitely attest to! My priorities and "make-it-or-break-it"s are definitely different than what they were when I was 18 fresh out of high school, and when I was 22 fresh out of college, and even when I was 23 fresh out of my masters program. This is mainly due to experiences that I've had with guys who I thought could really be "the one".

Agree? Disagree? either way the article is an interesting, easy read.

The New Marriage Rule: Age Matters

Posted using ShareThis

7 comments:

AlabasterMuslim said...

I'm 18 and married, but I do understand what they were getting at. They are basically saying that if a women is confident and independent (which at 25 more women are) then women focus on the more important things in a relationship and don't have to rush it. I myself believe I have been blessed and am a peculiar, lucky case. And i didn't marry just so i could be secured (I was being supported by others) but I wouldn't have married if my husband couldn't have taken care of me. I think thats how it is for everyone though.

MommaBean said...

I actually agree with the article. I got married at 25, so clearl they are geniouses to have picked that age, teehee. but, seriously, I have a cousin that continues to marry 18 year old girls and the marriages continue to fall apart. The last one realized she wanted to be a dancer and marrying this guy and taking on his two small kids was holding her back. Yikes! However, some women do know who they are andwhat they want at 18, I'd imagine...

Hamza said...

well, I would personally question any sane guy these days who won't go for a girl who is at least educated.

and by educated, I mean that she has at least A bachelor degree (not high school).

kinzi said...

I would agree, and my life experience backs the research too.

Anonymous said...

while I can agree with that...specially that I think guys shouldn't rush.

However, the drawback is, as you get older you become harder to please...and "the one" standards will keep on increasing that at certain it will be near to impossible to settle with anyone.

KJ said...

I wonder what's the magic number for guys! 28? 29? 30?

asoom said...

Alabaster..welcome to my blog! You make a good point and you're lucky to get married so young and be in a great relationship!

Mommma...good point! I think at 18 you just have a lot of living and self-discovering to do

Hamza...hmmm well what if the guy himself isn't educated?

Kinzi...and judging from the blog and writing we can see you're in a union filled with bliss!

Hamdan...yea that's true at a certain age you start to get really settled in your own ways and it's harder to compromise. However I don't think 25 is really that age!