Getting Married Young- Why?

[DrPhil]

<<After adding the necessary "in the old days" and "in other cultures" disclaimers>>

I exist in a subculture where the "right" time is after you've graduated from college and typically after you also have a graduate degree (or two). This has race, socioeconomic status, and gender correlates. How we were socialized and the timing is based on the process of what WE consider to becoming a more complete person. For us, being a more complete person includes having CHOICES. You can CHOOSE to be a stay-at-home parent/housewife/househusband but you don't NEED to be one due to dependency. In general, I don't believe in having to say "I wish I had" or "I wish I/we could." That's also why threads like "what do you WISH you did for a living" are very interesting to me but particularly if people had to put their dreams on hold for relationship or family. My family, friends, and I believe in accomplishing your goals and dreams before getting married and continuing to accomplish. If not, you could end up pissed as hell and resentful.

As you said, it's ultimately based on a person's own timing and the couple's specific dynamics. I only have one friend who got married early 20s. The rest of us, late 20s and 30s.