Marriage and children

[tfw6693]

  I would wait until I had been out of high school for a year or two. Other than that, when you find Mr./Mrs. right, then it is time to get married. BTW we have been married 42+ years. Raised her 3 children and adopted 4 more. Everyone gone now and we are enjoying retirement. 

[djohnson43]

For me I was 23 when we started dating and got engaged, 24 when we got married and because we found out I was pregnant two months before the wedding I turned 25 three weeks before my daughter was born. But my husband is older then me so...

[betlynjua]

This is not a one size fits all.  I personally know people in their 50's and even 60's who are either married or not but are so very insecure with themselves.  Until a person is happy in their own skin, they can not be ready to take on marriage and certainly not kids.  Some people are never happy in their own skin and never will be. 

[dansah]

I don't think marriage and children can be pinpointed to a particular age.  Each couple is different.  Each individual should be sure they know themselves well before they commit to someone else.  Marriage is a complex thing.

[sak4kat]

I agree with everyone else.  I too believe this is different for every individual as well as couple.  I first married when I was 19.  My significant other was 21.  As a couple we were fine.  However by the time I was 21 we became parents and that was a disaster.  I grew up right away.  3 children later, a divorce, foreclosure, a criminal record (Not on my behalf) and bankruptcy he's still not ready for children.  So it's incredibly important both ends of a relationship are incredibly clear with what and when they want whatever it may be out of there lives.

[ancmetro]

   It depends on the maturity of the participants!

[jcalexis]

To me it depends of the individuals who want to tie the knots. Some people mature at early age; others mature late in life. I strongly believe that maturity count a lot. Getting married is big responsibility. It doesn't matter how old who are; if you're not mature enough I believe your marriage is in jeopardy.

[dreamyxo]

No one can answer that for them each couple needs to decide that for themselves.

[camellia0]

It's not more of a certain number as it is maturity and stability. Once a couple is stable in their mind and finances and know they want to be with one another then they can work on marriage and a family. Something like this can't be in a number.

[Timberlan127]

I think it totally depends on the couple. Some people are very mature right out of high school but most people need to be at least mid twenties or older to be mature enough to make a marriage work.

[lgemini]

I think that you will be ready for marriage after 25 and ready to have kids about two to three years later.

[mardukblood2009]

never

[PGS28]

It depends on the people.  I got married at 19 and although we only lasted 10 years I don't regret it because I gained so much insight on not only who I was, but also who I wanted to be, which is now who I am.  If you are in love, do it. Life is so short.  And all people all ages are not on the same mental level, so it truly does depend on your readiness.

[PGS28]

Children can be considered at any time, that yearning for parenthood never goes away and things are going to always happen in life so whenever you are with someone you can successfully co parent with and when you are financially stable enough to provide the basic needs go for it.  Good luck!!

[plennis]

  I was 18 and my husband just turned 20 when we married.  We had children starting when I turned 23 (we had 4 before I turned 30).   We just celebrated our 43rd anniversary and are going strong.  I think maturity has a little to do with it, also the commitment.....we just said no divorce....so talk, and work out the problem.  We both love to laugh and just have to think of each other first, we both  put in 110%.  (Usually at different times!)   We have had health scares, but luckily have both had great health mostly.  For other problems we turn to each other first to help us get through them.