Agreed. I like an age difference of 5-10 years, ideally.

I'm 30 and never been married. I plan to someday. When I get a stable job making enough to support a family I hope God will bless me. I have heard of some people being 40-45 before they got married. I hope I don't have to wait that long, but at least I know that I still have a chance. It is never too late. I wouldn't mind marrying someone who is younger than myself as long as it is the right person. But generally I look for someone who is about the same age or maybe even a bit older.

I'm not sure if there is a right age for getting married. If you meet the right person and you are still young (18-22) then be very thankful that God has blessed you. I think a lot of people don't get married that young especially men. It is hard, at that age, to find a stable enough job to support a family.

I think women generally look for financial stability. But then again, I am not so sure. Perhaps a guy who works 40 hours/week at minimum wage would be acceptable to some women. I personally don't see a problem with it especially if the guy has plans for the future. But women tend to want stability right then and there, and they don't usually go by the what the guy says on these things.

The sad thing is, it is becoming harder and harder in this day and age for young people to get married. Our economy is structured in a way where many people find it hard to get a full time job. It used to be a lot better. Nowadays, people can only find part-time work because most companies don't want to hire too many full-time employees since they have to fork out more benefits if they do. I would say it isn't until much later than 20 years old that men are able to finally get to the point where they can support a family. Unfortunately.

Considering that the primary end of marriage is having children and forming a family, the age does matter, specially on the woman side.

If age does not matter than what does?

Quote from: Cantarella

Considering that the primary end of marriage is having children and forming a family, the age does matter, specially on the woman side.

If age does not matter than what does?

oh sorry I thought you said age doesn't matter.

For those called to the married state of life, what would you say that it is the "ideal" age for marriage?

I'd say:

Woman -> 18 - 22
Man -> 24 - 28

I agree.  These are ideal in terms of these being the woman's age of highest fertility and the age at which a man is likely to be financially established enough to support a family.

Still there are a lot of other factors to consider.  For example, I think a man should marry younger than this if the alternative is a long engagement and this is a source of temptation to them.  It is better to have some financial struggles than to sin.

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.

This is a very good point.  Because our society is so messed up, it is not very realistic to talk about the ideal.  Biologically, men and women should be marrying in their late teens or early 20s.  Almost no secular people (and probably not even many trads) are emotionally mature enough for marriage at that age.  And few people are financially prepared for marriage then either.  The ideal would be for all these factors to come together at the same age and that is not likely in our culture.

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