Can Today's Young Married American Couples Last?
482032
I'm 52 with two grown sons. Both are married. My husband and I taught them, by example and discussions, about what it means to commit to each other for a lifetime. I know what you are saying. \n\nI do think that too many people get married with the thought in the back of their minds that if it doesn't work out they can always get a divorce. Having said that, I do believe that today's young people can get married and stay married. \n\nI told my sons that it's easy to fall in love. It's the staying in love that takes work. It takes two people to make or break a marriage. If they work hard at appreciating their wives, loving and caring for them, and their wives do the same in return, they will grow old together. \n\nI don't see marriage as a chore, but as a wonderful haven where I can leave the cares of the world behind. My husband cherishes me and I cherish him. It's up to the older generations to teach the children how wonderful marriage is. The fact that young people get married at all gives me hope that they do want a till death do us part relationship. According to the National Center for Health Statistics there were 2,279,000 marriages in 2004. \n\nIf we are going to increase the chances of marriages lasting we have to share the wisdom we have gained through our own marriages. What works and what doesn't. How to balance work and family with family being the number 1 priority.
907256
How about people like Bob & Doris Hope, married for 50+ years....Paul Newman & Joann Woodward, still married after 50 some years...Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman...ask them what the secret of their marital success is. I don't think it's about celebrity as much as it is about love, respect and communication.
702743
I'm in my forties and i know of one couple who got married that early and stayed married.You are still growing (mind wise) at that age. You need to be able to date around , see and experience new things with an open mind and it's hard to do that when your married.I know of 12 other couples who married that young and divorced..take my advice..wait until your at least 25..
1117390
Yes, those words can be true, but you need to set goals and make sure you stick to them as best you can. Love is a wonderful thing - but being married means you need to be able to work well with the person you love. They become your partner for life. I met mine when I was your age, and we married in our twenties, so I know it can work. We were good friends first, and then fell in love, and didn't move in together until we married, but we spent many, many hours working on projects and eventually working together in a store and learned that our personalities really meshed well - which rounded out the love we had for each other. My advice: \nFirst, both of you go to college (either 2 yr. or 4 yr. - depending on what you want to do for a living.) \nSecond, save as much money as you can if your folks are paying your way through college. \nThird, work while you are in college and also when you finish college and THEN start making wedding plans. Life is a lot about "getting your ducks in a row". In other words, make reasonable & wise plans, and act on them in the best possible order. If you throw caution to the wind and skip making life plans together and just get married without either of you having advanced training beyond high school, most likely you will live very poorly and will have lots of fights about money that you don't have to pay the bills. The biggest mistake people make is NOT making plans for the future and just "winging it". BIG, BIG, mistake. Best wishes to you!
200298
I think dmb is right...women mature faster.  I think once you reach a certain point, it really doesn't matter anymore, but a lot of people meet the one they marry fairly young...teens or twenties.
244176
No, they are accurate.  Sorry, even back then 9 was still to young to have sex and 6 was WAY too young to get married.  I am thinking the age was 11 or 12 to be considered an adult and be married.
167754
yes. Notice people married for decades than all of the sudden one of them dies. More likely than not the other half will die shortly there after
341195
Their culture is strict... but if there's a will, there's a way... and if you really love each other then you'll fight for your love... Do something... don't just sit there and watch him get married... if you fail, then at least you've done your very best part... you won't have the moment in your life wherein you'll get to think about that time in which you had the chance but you didn't do anything...:)
459306
Love just happens, but you have to remember that people can grow to love each other.  I know of countries that still have arranged marriages.  I think that in these instances the two involved are less fortunate than Americans who get the opportunity to find love on their own.  But, this has been going on for many many years.  I don't believe that Americans should set up two people with the intent for them to be happy.  As an American we know that happiness comes from the heart and has to be aceived on our own.
633802
U will never know if something will truly last. U want to marry a person because u want to spend the rest of ur life with them. if er'1 went in2 marriage knowin they would get divorced i don't think they would even bother marrying that person. I think it takes a lot to make a marriage work and u have to work hard, and even tho over the years we all will change, u and ur partner have to change as a couple and realize that u are different and always keep in mind why u fell in love wit that person. Above all else, trust, honesty, and communication are the big key. If u can keep all that throughout the whole relationship er'thing will be fine. \nNext month is my 1st wedding anniversary wit my husband. He has been in Iraq since Sept 05. And i love him more everyday even tho we're apart. A lot of couples in the military end up getting divorced after being away from each other 4 a year. but we've communicated wit each other about er'thing we're both going thru. And we trust each other and love each other above all else. I think that u have to have faith in urself and ur partner 2 have a long lasting loving marriage!
1053407
Good one, but I think it all depends on both parties. If they agree to just stay friends then I think they will stay that way without thinking of that "one thing". And second of all, their upbringing. If they grew up in a society which values relationships over sex then there wouldn't be any problem. I'm talking about waiting til they get married.
851401
cause people are into the easy way out, quick fixes ect ect most people these days dont take being married seriously enough so they end up calling it quits after only a few years.  its not about them being young, its about how mature they are as a couple and how much they love eachother. also its really hard just starting out money is usually tight so its easy to fight.
27885
All I have to offer is experience...28 years of being married to the same guy. I got married at 20, had my first child at 23 and second child at 26. It really depends on the couple. Marriage, like parenting, is very hard, emotional work. If you're not up to the emotional part, stay single. I know people who got married younger than I and are still married. They worked through lots of hard stuff, but always stuck together. It's called commitment. Staying together through all the tough stuff...even adultery (eveything is forgiveable). You really have to think through why you want to get married, no matter how old you are. It's all about maturity and commitment. I told my husband to make sure this is what he wanted because I didn't believe in divorce...only murder!! So, if you're asking if it's ok to get married at a young age, I think you need to think long and hard about why, and talk about it long and hard with your sweetheart. If you've both considered all the good and bad, plus talked with a pastor, and your parents, then think about this information carefully. If it's something you're both committed to do for the rest of your lives, do it. Don't be another divorce statistic. <*)))><
231614
Depends on many factor's such as how long they've known each other, how much have they been through together, and the level of love. If they have been through alot together and work together through the tough times then they will have a very good marriage.
213128
Some people call the beginning of a relationship the honeymoon stage which lasts about nine months to a year. I think that yes physical attraction can fade in that time if you let it. There are lots of people I know that are still going strong today. Some after 30,40 or even 50 years. There are lots of ways to keep the physical attraction going. You just have to find what works for the two of you.
284427
Met and were married within 2 years.  My parents met and were married within 6 months - they've been married 42 years now.  I have friends who were married after 3 days - they've been married 33 years.  Good luck!
418796
It seems that the world is probably against you this day in age with quicky weddings and quicky divorces. Alot of the young couples I know get married really quick without thinking everything through. Call it the "want to be a bride" syndrome. Once you live together and share your lives together...things change. But if you really love each other,have talked everything through, and understand what hard work marriagetakes...you may be happy together forever. Good luck!