THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 5, 1996 TAG: 9607040046
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: LARHESA WILLIAMS, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: 47 lines
DECADES AGO, marrying young wasn't an unusual thing to do. A young woman was often expected to marry her high school sweetheart soon after graduation or, if she were pregnant, sooner than that. As``women's lib'' began to take hold during the 1960s, that tradition changed. More women went to college, moved out without a husband and began taking care of themselves.
According to a statistical study by the U.S. Department of Education, the average age of marriage in 1950 was 20.3 years for women and 22.8 for men. In 1992, the age rose to 24.4 for women and 26.5 for men. Although these numbers indicate that people are waiting to marry, a few are still eloping shortly after prom night.
Is marriage at a young age a wise thing to do? Many teenagers believe it's a decision that can wait.
``I feel that it's kind of too early because life is full of obstacles,'' said Cornelius Allen, 18, of Norview High School in Norfolk said. ``Just enjoy yourself while you're young and when you're ready to settle down, that's the appropriate time to get married.''
Racque Parker, 18, of Granby High School in Norfolk said, ``I wouldn't do it unless I really loved someone. But I think it's up to the individual.''
In a recent discussion held during The Virginian-Pilot's minority journalism workshop, several teens said couples should wait to marry until they've completed college and are financially and emotionally stable.
Others felt the decision to marry early is a personal decision and is appropriate in some cases.
``I think marriage should be about what the two want. It doesn't matter what age they are; it's about maturity,'' said Randy Vazquez, 15, of Salem High School in Virginia Beach.
``They both need to be supported financially and emotionally.'' MEMO: LaRhesa Williams is a rising senior at Granby High School in
Norfolk. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Kathy Lu, 16, Norfolk Academy
Eric Gonzalez, 17, Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach
Pam Sarian, 15, Green Run High School in Virginia Beach by CNB