Weddings
Why Women Marry Late
Where and how does marriage fit in with our end goals?
Is Success a Factor?
Studies have shown that the timing of one’s first marriage is often linked to the attractiveness of the alternatives to marrying at the time the proposal is offered. Thus, when the woman sees that she still has many options, and the alternatives are still viable and stable, marriage is delayed. Online dating is changing this landscape, because women can now, fairly easily, find partners at pretty much any age.
For example, a woman who is about to get promoted to senior partner at a law firm after 10 years of waiting may opt for the promotion first and then marriage some two to three years after — if the offer is still on the table, that is. Of course, there is no question to the level of happiness and satisfaction afforded by both a career promotion and being with your one true love; unfortunately, though, these two compete for one very scarce resource: time. Professional women, particularly those holding top positions, are bound to have very little time and higher expectations from their relationships.
Hollywood celebrities are not immune to the professional success = late marriage trend. Elizabeth Hurley was 42 when she married Arun Nayar, an Indian businessman (but divorced him three years after); Sandra Bullock married Jesse James at 41 (and then divorced after a year); Salma Hayek tied the knot also at 41 with French billionaire Francois Henri-Pinault (they’re still together!); Renee Zellweger didn’t say “I do” until she was 36 to country singer Kenny Chesney (but, sigh, divorced after just four months); TV personality Rachael Ray married lawyer and The Cringe band frontman John Cusimano at 37 (also still together!)
Rosie Jenkins
People are different. Others are still successful even if they got married early and others are miserable. It depends.
Alicia Parker
Another thing about marriage being delayed is because the sanctity of marriage is gone. Everyone is cheating, everyone is playing, no one is taking relationships seriously anymore. If boyfriend and girlfriend relationships aren’t taken seriously, what makes us think that marriage will be taken seriously? Personally, I don’t think I’m going to get married until I really meet a person that is willing to sail wild waters with me. So far, my perception of relationships isn’t very great.
Lula Burton
A lot of my college friends got married as soon as they graduated. I don’t know what the rush was for, but I guess they really wanted to get married asap.
Anne Rios
Not to be bitter about relationships but I’ve experienced so many bad things in a relationship and I feel like no matter how old I am, I will never be ready with marriage.
Kathryn Hill
It’s not just you, girl. I feel the same.
Kathryn Matthews
Men are the worst in my generation and I don’t even believe that there are decent guys out there anymore. Such a tragedy.
Okoi Arikpo
We exist baby..
Casey Craig
I remember my grandmother telling me to get married asap because I’m getting old. People, I’m only 25.?
Elsa Morales
I’m a single mother right now and I’m 29. I love my daughter a lot and I wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s 9 years old now. If I was to give an advice to anyone about marriage or having kids, make sure that you do it at a time wherein you’re mature enough and in the right state of mind. Marrying young or getting pregnant at an early age can cause a lot of problems, not only in your body but also your future. I know that people will argue that age is just a number but no, it has something to do with maturity as well.
Margaret
Wow 50% custodial moms and raising their kids solo. Guys, what are you doing???
McNulty
Statistics on women getting married late has increased. I’m not even surprised. Women want to be single now and it empowers them.?
Lucia Giannone
Life is harder now and money is needed everywhere. You can’t just get married and have babies when you don’t have a stable job. Of all the things that are listed here, I’m voting for stability.
Shirley Haynes
Same, being in your mid 20’s in my opinion is the time when you’re just a few years starting from your first job and what have you achieved at that time? Not so much, I bet.