It’s true that you can find examples of young people who get married at 18 and stay married the rest of their lives, just as you can find examples of people who get married at 30 and wind up divorced by 35.
However, the statistics are clear that young marriages lead to divorce more often. Why is this? There are several possible reasons.
The couple did not know each other well enough
One common reason that couples cite for their divorces is that they just didn’t know each other that well when they married. They were in love, but they may have only been dating for a year or two. If they had spent more time together, they would have realized they weren’t a good fit for each other. As it was, they had to learn that after they were married, leading to divorce.
One person or both people changed over time
Another potential issue is that one or both people changed over time. Human brain development lasts until after someone is 25 years of age. If someone got married at 18 years of age, they could be a very different person seven years later. If they changed and their spouse changed, they could feel like they’re just not compatible in the way that they were when they were younger.
Young marriages can have special difficulties
Finally, a young marriage can simply be harder. At 30 years of age, both people in a relationship likely have careers and a stable income. At 18 years of age, they may struggle to make ends meet, not have anywhere to live, and run into all sorts of other hurdles. Some couples overcome this, but many realize that it’s just not a good time to be married.
Are you getting divorced?
If you’re thinking about getting divorced, regardless of your age, just make sure you know what steps to take to protect your interests. Talking with an experienced attorney can help you figure out your goals and develop a plan for your future.
