Getting married too early is one of the leading causes of relationship failure in our society today. Various factors can contribute to tension in a relationship, but many of these can be related directly to the age (maturity level, ability to earn a living, education progress, etc.) of the individuals involved. The divorce rate for couples under the age of twenty is incredibly high, as those who marry young are seldom prepared for marital roles. Not only is this detrimental to the health and well-being of these couples, but, many times, to the society as a whole.
             The statistics on early marriages (those that begin before the mid-20s) are alarmingly dismal. Over half of all teenage unions end in divorce within the first 5 years , and the rate for 21- and 22-year-olds is twice as high as it is for 24- and 25-year-olds. Studies have indicated that the most stable marriages have a "starting date" of 28 years of age. Divorce rates are lowest for both men and women who marry for the first time at 28 or later. The chances for a stable marriage increase as both partners reach the age of 30, and then the rates level off.
             Sometimes, one or both parties are too eager to be married. Some want to escape a troubled home life, others fear that their partner will have a change of heart. This fear makes them want to act fast and rush into matrimony. The overeagerness to marry is most often associated with the excitement that surrounds the impending marriage. In the rush to have the fairy tale wedding and fabulous honeymoon, couples fail to consider the long-term ramifications of their choice. Young couples, with their raging hormones, get caught in the "Bliss Trap" - imagining that love is a stairway to heaven that will allow us to rise above the nitty-gritty elements of our personality and leave behind all or our fears and limitations. Of course being in love is wonderful. But the problem is that so many ...