Does delaying marriage lead to better relationships in the long term?

It is a fact that men and women today are marrying at a later age than in past generations. Today, the average age at which women marry is 26, while men hold off until about 28. There are a number of factors that play into people’s decisions to wait. Both men and women want better relationships that will stand the test of time.

Current statistics show that among teens who marry, two out of three such early marriages end in divorce. Among all age groups in the U.S., the divorce rate is a staggering 50%. Many young people have seen their own parent’s marriages end in divorce and know first hand of some of the devastating effects divorce can have on all of the family members. Young people have good reason to delay marriage, making the process of finding Mr. Or Miss Right a careful, considered choice.

One key to better relationships in marriage is giving yourself a chance to mature. Teens are still in the process of growing up, gaining experience in relationships with their peers, of both genders. Teens simply do not have the maturity, or real time interactions with a variety of personalities and do not have adequate skills that allow them to communicate with others in productive ways. Teen relationships tend to be predicated on good looks and the more superficial aspects of their partner. Decisions to marry, based on superficial considerations, are typically shallow and will not stand the test of time.

Young people today are also aware that a good education is necessary to a good career. Completing their education translates into a better income. When you consider that money problems are the number one reason cited in divorce, it is wiser to complete your education before you marry.

Besides starting out in marriage with a satisfying career, you also gain more experience with a variety of personalities and are better able to refine your take on an individual you might want to marry. Your judgments are not so impulsive. Observing your friend’s love relationships, the good and the bad, contributes to better relationships of your own. You learn to recognize characteristics of people on a deeper level. While Joe or Mary may be the best looker around, you are not so likely to overlook, or fail to recognize, that Joe has a reputation for cheating on all of his girlfriends, or that Mary is an insincere gold-digger.

During the transition from adolescence to adulthood, you begin to build true self confidence. You have the freedom to give yourself a chance to find out what you really want in a marriage partner, as well as define your personal goals. For example, do you want to have children? At what age? What personal characteristics are most important to you in your mate? You might date twenty losers before you can answer this question. The result of giving yourself time to mature is, undoubtedly, better relationships that are more likely to last. That teen heart throb from your high school days may seem a laughable choice by the time you are in your mid-twenties.

No matter your age, all couples who marry hope that the marriage will last a lifetime. Give yourself a chance to mature, get a good education and establish what you really want for your fairy tale marriage. Take these steps, do not rush into marriage and you will find, at the very worst, you will have a better social life in general and a better relationship in marriage. You deserve to make your dreams come true!