Young marriage or older marriage

Flora Yazheng Lu Lukenbill May 8, Sociology Young Marriage or Older Marriage Marriage, also known as matrimony or wedlock, is definedas a social union or a legal contract that binds two people as lifetime collaborates creating association. However, I think the real definition of marriage varies with different religious backgrounds, cultural beliefs, and interpersonal relationship. Marriage is usually crested by a wedding ceremony. Most cultures in the world usually acknowledge heterosexual marriage. However, some communities allow same sex marriages. According to Professor Lukenbill’s lecture, she says, “ Today, there has been a notable change in the gender roles especially at young age which later affects marriage” (15 March 2012). This article looks at marriage as an urgent social problem especially the issue of young marriage against older marriage. I have chosen young marriage against older marriage since I feel that the issue of marriage has been a continuing social issue in our society and needs to be addressed. Recent data and research findings have shown that the issue of marriage remains to be the most incumbent in American society for a long time. I feel that the issue of young and older marriage needs to be addressed and proper guidance and counseling be administered to children as well as their parents in order to curb the rising cases of divorce and family issues caused by stress and depression due to lack of proper planning of marriages. The social scientists have noted frequently that the issue of early or young marriage is the main cause of divorce in America. They argue that the young graduates from universities have a $23, 000 debt from their universities. However, the issue of money does not always solve the marriage problems. Moreover, they continue to note that the average age of marriage partners is 28 for men and 26 for women (McQueen web). However, it is not always that the marriage partners who marry at young ages are irresponsible and unfocused. The Centers for Disease Control reported that 48% of persons marry when under age 18 while 40% of 18 and 19-year-olds, end up divorcing. However, 29% of persons who marry at age 20 to 24 eventually divorce. This is very similar to the 24% of the 25-and-older regiment (Bradbury et al 59). Moreover, researchers in Texas have noted that people who wed between the ages of 22 and 25, and remained married to those spouses, went on to experience the happiest marriages. However, it is wrong to conclude that between the ages of 22 and 25 is the right marriage age as it only contributes to a fallacy of composition. Moreover, researchers have identified that little is going to be gained whenever couples deliberately delay marriages beyond the mid-twenties (Fincham 23). Equalitopia blog data, found out that most same sex marriage happened at age 18 to 29. Researchers noted that younger people do not have a mature thought about marriage and consequently, they may not see the importance of gender in marriage hence resulting to same sex marriage. Money has been a highly contributing factor to success of marriage especially in contemporary times when economic hardships characterize the society. Most scientists and marriage counselors describe money as a marriage premium. Whereas mature couples are likely to have established financial structures to support the family, overly young couples are likely to fail financially. The young married couple are not always educated enough or experienced enough to realize the value of saving for the future. Younger couples mostly appear to encourage thrifty behavior that discourages them from saving schemes. This does not come by surprise considering the fact that young couples are increasingly considering postponing marriage in order to have more time to live freestyle and carefree lives. Young people perceive that marriage symbolizes the conclusion of escapade and the commencement of wearisomeness however, this is not true in case of well-planned marriages. Different options are available for the newly wedded couples. That is, they can take their life long partners along with them to their coveted destination and share the joy and fun together (Fincham 72). However, it is not always that early marriages are associated with problems. Couples who marry and have children at an early age usually have more time to relax in future because the offspring will mature sufficiently early enough to take care of themselves. Young marriages are likely to succeed if proper planning in terms of finances and having of children is considered. Moreover, the young couples are likely to have a longer time together to enjoy their lives (Johnson 5).  In conclusion, the issue young and old marriages in the American society need to be addressed. More importantly, young marriages need to be discouraged since they compromise the quality of marriage later in life. The government and other relevant stakeholders should also intervene to ensure that this issue has not affected America’s reproductive health. Works Cited Bradbury, Thomas et al. “ Reconsidering the role of conflict in marriage. In: Booth A, Crouter AC, Clements M, editors.” Couples in conflict. Erlbaum; Mahwah, NJ: 2001. p. 59–81. Print. Fincham, Frank et al. “ Marital conflict: Correlates, structure and context.” Current Directions in Psychological Science. 2003; p. 23–27. Print. Fincham, Frank. “ Forgiveness and conflict resolution in marriage.” Journal of Family Psychology. 2004; p. 72–81. Print. Johnson, Susan. The practice of emotionally focused marital therapy creating connection. New York: Routledge. 2004. Print. Lukenbill, Bernard Froling, Barbara. “ Health Information for Youth: The Public Library and School Library Media Center Role.” California: Libraries Unlimited, 2007. Print. Macionis, John. Sociology. New York: Pearson Education, Limited, 2010. Print. McQueen, Mark. Devils Playground. 2010. Trailer Video