Author Topic: Ideal Age for Marriage (Read 3580 times)

Jaynek · « **Reply #20 on:** October 26, 2013, 07:37:48 PM »

Quote from: Cera

Quote from: Jaynek
Quote from: Tiffany
Why is it always 18 for women and not younger? I know state laws vary but The Church allows for younger than 18.

Pregnancy under 18 has a higher risk of complications for mother and baby. From what I have read, medical authorities usually advise delaying pregnancy until 18. But I wouldn't have a problem with a 17 year old marrying, especially if she were well developed and healthy.

I have not seen that research, but I have seen a study that babies born to 15 to 18 year olds are the healthiest. (Shocking, right?) I am not suggesting 15 and 16 year olds should marry, but that was solid research I used in teaching.

I am no expert on this so I very well could be wrong. It sounds like you know more about it than I do.

Quote from: Cera

I agree with earlier posters, God did design young men and women to marry at earlier ages (prior to the so-called sɛҳuąƖ revolution, they did marry much younger than now.) In our disordered society, influenced by the sɛҳuąƖ revolution, they are much less motivated to marry. In addition, our disordered society has prolonged the stage from child to adult.

That is a good point about prolonged childhood.

Vladimir · « **Reply #21 on:** October 26, 2013, 08:04:15 PM »

The ancient rites of China dictated age 30 for men, 20 for women.

soulguard · « **Reply #22 on:** October 27, 2013, 06:23:38 AM »

There was one time when I was 23 I thought I was going to be married to some woman I met, and because of her I converted to Catholicism, but God did not want it to happen, he wanted greater things for me. So now I am 28 and though I don't want to be a priest I want to live a religious life, I look back on it now and see it as kind of an addiction to the other person, now I am glad that I did not do it, because I think God wants me to do something with this life that does not involve just living for someone else (1 person).
Point is, people can change their minds, and at 23 you don't know enough about yourself to be able to disown your entire future and life just because you met someone who at the time you think is "special".

Dolores · « **Reply #23 on:** October 29, 2013, 07:41:22 AM »

I'm not convinced that deciding the "ideal" age for marriage should be based on when a woman is at her "peak fertility." It is true that having children is the primary end of marriage, but it is not the only end, and it is not the same thing as having as many children as physically possible.

That's not to say fertility shouldn't be considered, or that people should actively limit family sizes, but being open to having as many children as God gives doesn't mean a couple has to try to have as many as they can.

Matthew · « **Reply #24 on:** October 29, 2013, 08:41:39 AM »

Quote from: Frances

My parents married when Mom was 34, Dad, 28. They are still living, happily married. Age is a factor if you plan on lots of children. Two of three children are living. My brother died after two days, reason unknown. The job at which my Dad worked 40 hour weeks provided enough money to enable Mom to quit her job to raise us. He bought a house and had excellent benefits, all on a high school diploma and three years of mechanical training from the military. The same job today requires a minimum of a Master's degree in mechanical engineering, computers expertise, and 8-10 years experience. The only jobs at the same firm for someone with high school and military training would be working part-time as a custodian, probably for a private cleaning company on a contract basis. IOW, in no way enabling a man to support a wife and family. Societal conditions have pushed the age of marriage way up for both men and women. It can no longer be said what are appropriate ages. My Mom hardly stayed waiting at home. At 34, she had worked her way up on a high school diploma to being in charge of billing at the local water utility. Her job is nowadays replaced by a computer! She did help my Dad to buy the house, outright, no mortgage.

I would emphasizes that any "ideals" must consider all the other factors, such as the time and place in which you live.

The post above was very interesting. It demonstrates what I have talked about many times -- how times have changed for the worse, and how young men have a harder time today (to get established) then they ever have before.

Another thing to not forget -- the Money Men who rejected Our Lord and use their media today to push society ever downward are the same ones who have debased our currency today, making it weaker than ever so that basically everyone is poor.

Inflation makes everything go up in price -- but wages are usually last to respond. That's why those with businesses have an easier time -- they raise their prices and that's that. But how long until they give their employees a raise? Much, much later, and not enough.

Moral of the story -- we have to be shrewd, clever, and wise as serpents if we want to get by in this world. Not just get by, but manage to get married, have a family, and raise one's children in such a way that they have a fighting chance of staying Catholic. It's quite a challenge.