How young is ‘too young’ to get married?

Recent news surrounding Stranger Things and Enola Holmes star Millie Bobby Brown’s engagement shook the internet.

And let’s just say, not everyone was supportive.

Fans have given the actress criticism, claiming that Brown, 19, was “too young” to get engaged, plus “divorce [is] incoming in 5 years,” and that “getting married at 19 is pretty stupid, you’re still a kid.”

But how exactly young is “too young?”

In an article on thespectrum.com, a licensed marriage and family therapist named Scott Jackubowski stated that “young people are still figuring out who they are, and that’s a problem for marriage. Insecurity, self-centeredness (not necessarily selfishness), lack of wisdom and little life experience are all factors that, to me, make young people less prepared for divorce.”

He added, “Age isn’t the only factor in being too young for marriage. In fact, the real factor, in my opinion, is life experience. It isn’t about a number (again, within reason). It’s simply that people that age haven’t had the experience to prepare them for marriage.”

In another article from Teen Vogue, experts Stephanie Coontz, Director of Research and Public Education at the Council on Contemporary Families, and Bradford Wilcox, Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, discuss what to consider before getting married.

Teen Vogue states that you must consider that “it’s not like the old days.” Cootz told the publication, “Marriage today has changed so much since 1960, when half of all women were married by age 20.” She adds, “Today, marriage requires more work and negotiation,” and “marrying young is quite a risk, especially if it cuts into your education.”

Wilcox also added that “education should be your first priority,” noting that, according to him, “it’s important to finish the basic levels of education: either high school, vocational, or a college degree.”

You need to envision your future together, according to the article. Wilcox wondered if young people can handle today’s circumstances and evaluate their partners’ devotion, faithfulness, and work ethic beyond their looks. He advised people to “be attentive to whether or not your potential spouse will be a good parent and good friend for the duration of your life.”

Teen Vogue added that it is also important to take into account that “the wedding is just the first step,” “your partner needs to support your goals,” and “the support of your friends and family is crucial.”

It’s also important to consider the fact that the brain doesn’t fully mature until age 25. Neuroscientist Sandra Aamodt confirmed this in an interview, explaining that the changes between 18 and 25 are a continuation of puberty.

The inadequate development of the prefrontal cortex until age 18 significantly impacts impulse control and goal-oriented behavior, according to Aamondt. Adolescents’ incentive system pushes them to try new things, but by 25, it reverts to adult levels. This shows that teenagers and young adults should be cautious about long-term commitments like marriage because the prefrontal cortex is still evolving.

Getting engaged and married is a huge commitment, so it’s important to make sure you’re ready for it. It’s not enough to marry just because you want freedom from your parents, or even just to get out of your household. The major concerns, such as “Am I financially stable enough?” or “Am I really ready?” need to be addressed. Because marriage is supposed to be a permanent union, not a series of temporary flings.

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Source: we the pvblic