When my wife and I decided to get married we were 21, and at first I was really scared. I was worried about what I was going to do for a career and was I going to attend college. Then it began that I would have to not only provide for myself but one other person as well. It was a lot of pondering and praying to know that I was making the right step. I was young and still had a lot of life ahead of me. But now I have spent all that time with my wonderful wife and our two sons.
In the world around us today it is to often that young adults wait until they are in their late 20’s and early 30’s before getting married. There is to much pressure put on them to get through school and either gain a higher education or get a great career started. With this influence that is projected in society today it is very rare that you see young adults actually dating and having a formal courtship. Yet despite the lack of young adults having formal courtships and dating today, there is still a desire for a successful marriage (Hawkins).
So, then why if young adults have a desire to find a successful marriage are they taking so long to do so? Some feel that it is a greater achievement to experience the single life completely before they are ready to settle down and start a family. Another reason I feel is that young adults today are to focused on their own self, that they seek their gain and feel that they should be financially independent and ready before taking on marriage. I always have to laugh to myself when I hear a couple say that they are waiting to have kids when they become more stable financially. If this is what we are waiting on, well we are always going to be waiting. Because money can play a good role or a bad. You will almost always feel that the money you have is not enough.
Be sure as you raise your children, teach them to date. The only way that the view of society can be changed is by our youth and the future that they create. If we as parents teach our children the importance of dating and a courtship it will change the outlook on marriage. They will then see marriage as a great and exciting event rather than something that is going to take away their single life experience. Let us help those young adults see that marriage is a great step for them in life. Give them encouragement and advice on growing in marriage and I feel that they will seek for marriage much faster.
Family Thought Tank 