Just a possibility: Maybe from the perspective of OP's priest (granted, not knowing this particular priest), better to get the young folks (those without religious vocation) married ASAP to avoid concupiscence and all of the ills it brings. Not that marriage automatically prevents/solves this in every situation.
That said, the difficulty of getting married without later regretting it often points to the same shaky foundation, over and over again, of the lack of a solid community.
Used to be that teens and young adults could get an impression of each other socially by the company you keep and how you treat your friends. Also, opposite-sex siblings and cousins could clue you in on whatever wasn't obvious about their peers merely from casual observation.
The older generation knew each other and could steer their children (prudently, not pressuring) toward or away from certain marriage prospects. Not just the rare case of who didn't have good character, but more about who'd be a best lifelong match beyond the rose-colored-glasses stage.
After marriage, older kin and close friends could be the "guard rails" for both husband and wife as to what is and isn't acceptable. This happened by daily example and basic advice without ever getting into the married couple's private details.
There's a statistic about divorce in general (certainly not among actual Catholics): A couple is more likely to divorce if their social circle thinks it's a perfectly fine escape route when marriage gets to be "too much to deal with". Relevance for trads: other people's influence does matter. Of course, Genesis 2:24* nonetheless, but too often couples are on their own both before and after marriage in a way that does more harm than good.
* Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh.
Topic: Young Catholics are being pressured... (Read 4547 times)