Self Evaluation of a Selected Group of Teen Marriages

The statistical trend toward an increasing number of early marriages in the United States is causing concern for parents and community officials (21). The average age of marriage has been declining since 1890. Half of the girls are now married by the time they are twenty and half of the men by the time they are twenty-three (13). In a study made by Landis (20) of marriages in California high schools, 90 percent of the senior high schools reported one or more student marriages. Similar statistics have been reported in New Mexico (16) and Oregon (18). Research has pointed an accusing finger at youthful marriage as a primary factor in the rampant divorce situation, and there is little question but that lack of the competencies which come with the maturing process are a source of marital friction and breakdown. Teenage married couples often have no peer group to which they can belong, and in which they can move as equals. Often they lose their friends because their interests are no longer compatible, and it is difficult for them to make adult friends. They are in a world of their own, isolated from their single friends of similar age and from other married couples who are older. No one knows just why these very young marriages are happening, but many conferences have been held in various professional fields, and some theories have been formulated. It is thought that the contemporary culture of this country stimulates romantic and sexual interests, and glamorizes marriage. This leads to early and steady dating, which in turn leads to emotional and sexual involvement, and then to marriage