blueangel--
You are stating some stats and want back up disproving what these stats say...
If Rudey was here, he'd call you a "copy paster"
But most folks are much nicer than the some folks who can more ruthless about what you are saying...
My question to you is after all the data filtering:
Are you married?
Do you want to be?
And will you be getting married within the next year?
I do not think you can answer those questions unless you have seen the "promise land" of marriage and actually been on the other side...
Then I also do not think you can begin to answer questions if you have not been a party in divorce.
Just so you know, I'm married. I was married when I was 34. I only knew my husband for 5 months before marrying him. I also did not believe in co-habitating with him before marriage--but that was for my own ideals. I would NEVER assert my thoughts on others and what works for them.
I have seen marriages flop after some time and end in divorce, which is always bitter. Some folks co-habitated, some did not.
The only consistency I have seen in divorce is that one loses a lot of weight when going through it--it is like the best diet ever...
Marriage and staying married is a lot tougher. And I truly recommend some form of marriage enrichment before and during marriage if folks want to make it work.
The best suggestion is from the
Gottman's Institute that studies how people truly pair bond with each other with research in top tiered psychology and marriage counseling journals.
As for my marriage--after 2 year mark--I do love my husband. But for me, marrying before 30-something would have never worked. Most folks don't stabilize emotionally, financially, mentally, physically, career-wisely, etc. until they are in their 30's.
Unfortunately, your best times to have children are in your teens and 20's...
Oh well...