Survey Says!
26Jul2009 Filed under: Sex and Relationships Author: AkirahWyattWhile eating dessert with a group of great girls, two of whom will be my lucky new roommates in two weeks (more on that later), another group of quarter-life ladies sat down at the table next to us. Because I’m “passionate about encouraging young women who are transitioning into adulthood,” I couldn’t help myself from wanting to strike up conversation with them. But I wasn’t exactly sure how to do that. I mean, it’s kinda weird to walk up to a group of strangers and say, “I run a blog for young women like yourselves…you should check it out!”
Then my friends and I came up with an ingenious idea. What if we asked the girls some sort of question? Their answers could be featured on the blog, which gives me new material to use AND I get to tell them about my blog. I’m not sure how much they get out of the deal, but I certainly make out pretty well.
For the first edition, we decided to ask them this question:
“WHAT IS THE PROJECTED AGE YOU THINK YOU WILL GET MARRIED? WHY?”
Here are the results:
“22. I’m engaged and waiting until I graduate college [to get married].” -SB, age 20
“24. I’m probably getting an arranged marriage.” -NK, age 19
“23-27. [I want to wait] long enough to graduate and establish a stable career.” -AM, age 20
“25-27. I want to travel after college, but I do not want to be too old to have kids.” -CB, age 21
“Mid 20′s. I want to get a stable job before I get settled.” -BL, age 20
“26. I want to be finished with medical school before I get married.” -AK, age 20
It’s interesting to read their diverse, yet understandable explanations. I also found it interesting that each one indicated that she believes she will get married in her twenties.
What about you? At what age do you think you’ll get married? Why?
Related Posts, for Your Reading Enjoyment:
- Tags: dessert, marriage, quarter-life ladies, strangers, surveys
Cindy
July 26th, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Well, I’m 22 with no current relationship prospects. I doubt I’ll be married before 25, though it would be nice (and somewhat realistically attainable) to get married before 30. We’ll see…
carolyn
July 27th, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I always thought 22 – Fresh out of college. And I didn’t go to a “ring by spring” christian school, either. I just kind of pictured it that way.
After dating someone pretty seriously that I thought I would marry when I was 21, and not marrying him, my perspective changed a bit. Once I spent some time being single I started to hope that I would get married in my mid-twenties and get to spend MORE time enjoying single life.
Now I’m 23 and dating someone that I want to marry with all of my heart. But we’re not currently engaged. And I’m open to the fact that something could happen at some point and we won’t end up together (I hope to death not, but at this point I’ve learned you truely can’t count your eggs before they hatch!). Whether it’s with this boy or not, I think I’m really going to enjoy the rest of my 20′s.
I think getting married in your 20′s is something that most girls, like the ones you talked to, hope for. But as you move through these years you realize how young we are. How much life there is to live. And that you will really have the REST OF YOUR LIFE with that person! That’s crazy!!
My overall philosophy at this point is, if you both know you’re ready, why wait? But the healthiest thing to do is enjoy each day as they come (QLL you remind me of that often!) until you reach that point.
xo
Leah
July 27th, 2009 at 11:02 AM
When I was younger I always thought I’d have a life-partner but not actually get married. We’d have a bunch of kids and be madly in love, but without the big production before hand. Basically, I thought I was Goldie Hawn and would find my Kurt Russel somewhere down the line!
NOW, I think I’ll probably get married around 28, but that age is arbitrary and only because my boyfriend was really drunk one time and confessed that he wants to get married when he’s 26 (which means I’ll be 27 or 28 depending on the month.
Jenn
July 27th, 2009 at 11:03 AM
I always thought I’d get married shortly after college – I wanted to be a wife and a mom. I think that mentality is partly to blame for me marrying the wrong person. Now I’m nearly 29, not yet divorced, but dating again. It’s a weird switch.
Now I’m focusing on being me and being happy. While I’d like to get married again, I know there’s a chance it may not happen and I think I’m ok with that.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
July 27th, 2009 at 11:20 AM
20s.
Just because I want kids before I’m 35.
imerika
July 27th, 2009 at 12:47 PM
all my friends, who are now in their mid-20′s, thought that they would all be married by now. And none of them are, except for one–the oldest and she just turned 28.
i have no desire to get married anytime soon, but i hope to be married around 29 or 30…i have a lot to do before that happens.
MinD
July 27th, 2009 at 4:36 PM
I think that with all of them being under 21, they were all being very idealistic. That’s my personal opinion, but when I was younger, I would’ve said “around 24 or 25.” But I’m 24 now, and not married, so my response has changed.
And I guess, for me, I have to consider a variety of factors – I tend to be overanalytical. If I’m still with my current boyfriend, I hope for 26 or 27 (keep in mind I’ve only been 24 for less than two weeks). But if not him, then I assume not until I’m 30.
It was a great idea, by the way, to ask those girls this question and use their responses this way. Nicely done.
MinD
July 27th, 2009 at 4:37 PM
P.S. I’d be curious to know your answer.
stephanie
July 27th, 2009 at 8:40 PM
At 28, I thought I’d be married by now, but I’m far from it! I have no idea when or if it’s even going to happen. Sometimes it seems a bit overrated anyway…not being a total cynic
I think I need more time to be me and find what/who fits best with my lifestyle.
thatShortChick
July 28th, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I could NEVER imagine myself, now, at 23 years old, married. NEVER. I think it’s because I’ve seen family members get married at young ages and have regrets.
I am mentally not ready to handle all of the responsibilities and life changes that occur with a marriage. And I think, unfortunately, that a lot of girls our age think that love will conquer all. Which is not realistic.
I would love to be married and look forward to being someone’s life partner but not until I am more mature and financially/career-wise stable. which will, hopefully, be by the end of my twenties or early thirties.
AkirahWyatt
July 30th, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Ha! I knew I wouldn’t be able to avoid this question. I’d say maybe 25 or 26?
Carolyn
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:57 PM
A – aren’t you 25 right now? you’re at least 24..
Yes…I’m 24. Hush.