Meeting your soulmate in homeroom may seem romantic, but you may be damaging your future prospects by settling down too early. Studies show that couples who marry young are more likely to divorce than couples who marry in their late 20s or early 30s. Additionally, despite what you may think, maturity (or lack thereof) isn't the only factor at play here.
If the common statistic about half of all marriages ending in divorce feels like a scare tactic, that's because it is. This data has never been verified, yet it is commonly repeated, even by reputable publications. In actuality, divorce rates are going down rather than up.
Divorce Data
Divorce rates are at their all-time low, and the reason why might surprise you. Rates have been the downswing since the 1980s when they hit their peak. At that time the divorce rate was 22.6 divorces per 1000 married women. In 2023, this figure has almost halved, now sitting at 14.4 divorces per 1000 married women (at least in 2023).
A big reason why divorce rates are going down is that the median age of marriage is going up. According to data from the US Census Bureau, the median age at first marriage in 2024 was 30 for men and 28 to women. Compare this to 1980, when couples averaged 24 and 22 respectively.
The numbers don't lie, folks. Waiting longer to tie the knot may be the secret to a happy marriage. However, we haven't yet explained why; let's get into that.
From Sweethearts To Splitsville
There are a lot of reasons why couples might get married young—between 18 and 25. Family and religious pressure are two major factors. Teens who grow up in more restrictive environments may be lead to believe that marriage is either their sacred duty—or the only way out.
Another reason is fear. If you manage to maintain a steady relationship throughout your tumultuous teenage years, isn't that a sign that you're meant to be? People who enter committed relationships young may feel that, if they break up, they might not get a second chance at romance.
One of the major reasons for failing marriages is clashing personalities. This is especially true for young couples, whose prefrontal cortexes are still developing through their early 20s. The person you are when you finish high school vs when you finish college vs when you enter the workforce are all drastically different people.
If your spouse doesn't resemble the person you married, it's likely because they aren't!
Bills & Burdens
Another reason for breakups is financial pressure. Unless both parties come from money or are extraordinarily lucky, they aren't likely to start off their marriage on the right financial foot. Financially supporting yourself for the first time—especially if you don't have the qualifications for anything more than a minimum-wage job—is an enormous stress before you factor in a spouse.
There's nothing wrong with settling down with your high school sweetheart. However, we recommend waiting a few years before you say your vows. We all want a Hollywood love story, but few are lucky enough to have one.
