Here comes the bride, the seventeen year old bride, all dressed in white.
Many things have changed since 1998, including the rate at which teenagers are getting married. In March of 1998, Clasp.org did research to find that less than 1% of 15 through 17 year olds had ever married. In 2002, the same website conducted another study and found that 38% of teenagers had been married. Adolescent marriage is frowned upon in America in most cases, yet in other parts of the world, a girl may be shunned from her community, if she is not married by her teenage years.
In other parts of the world, such as Africa and Egypt, young marriages are a normal part of society. Arranged marriages continue in these countries. In some African countries, the girls may even be forced into marriage. In Somalia, it is not rare for a girl to be engaged before she is even born, according to Worldweddingtraditions.com. Such traditions have never been a part of American society.
The percent of teen marriage in America rapidly increased when the shows “16 & Pregnant” and “Teen Mom” came out on MTV. As the name implies, “16 & Pregnant” follows the lives of mothers-to-be as they carry their baby and how they adjust to motherhood during the first few weeks. Teen Mom has the same idea, only it follows four to five of the mothers featured on “16 & Pregnant” as their children mature into toddlers. The show is relatively seen as a reality show, and focuses more on the drama the young mothers face. At least three mothers on the shows have been or are engaged to be married. One mother was even married twice and has birthed three children before she was twenty. The show started a trend in teenage pregnancies and teen marriage. Girls see getting pregnant and married as a way to be “cool.” Some predict it will be their claim to fame, just as it was for the other girls. Most of the time, this is wrong.
The average teen marriage only lasts about 3 years on average. Often, teens act on impulse, not reason. Dating in high school is common. Clasp.org researchers discovered “Early marriages are the most unstable.” This is because of many different yet predictable factors.
Teenagers are known for their rash decision making. Their thoughts quickly become decisions without much contemplation. Usually, a couple gets engaged based on infatuation, not based on love. A high school couple does not typically know how the significant-other reacts in difficult situations. This is not a healthy foundation on which to build a marriage.
Once a girl gets engaged in high school, she begins to think she does not need school anymore. She imagines the man will do all the work, and she will not need an education. Obviously, this is very incorrect. As previously stated, teenagers act on impulse. Once caught up in wedding planning, school becomes the least of a young bride’s concerns. What will happen to this girl if the marriage does not last? What will happen once the husband does not bring in enough money and the girl does not even have a high school diploma? This leads to financial problems, the major cause of divorce.
Teenagers are defined as persons between the ages of 13 and 18. Some people get married as early as 16. Legally, this couple cannot sign leases, nor can they live on their own. If the couple is 18, they can sign leases, get jobs, and be self-sufficient, but this does not mean they are financially secure. Now, keep in mind that not every couple is the same, and this does not categorize all teen marriages. But most of the time, an 18 year old high school student does not have the best job that pays the best money. If the couple does have an apartment, or their own place to live, they may just barely make rent. If money is given as a wedding gift, it has been proven that this money goes away very quickly. Usually, financial burdens are a main factor for separation.
Just like a normal married couple, teen couples wish to start a family. Pregnancy can occur before and after a wedding. Pregnancy is another main reason for divorce among adolescent marriages. Children are not meant to be parents, and this holds true to teen marriages. In some cases, however, a girl thinks if she gets pregnant, it will help keep the man because he will be the father. If a baby or pregnancy happens before a marriage, the man may not stay. Most of the time the man leaves and the relationship deteriorates. The father may still care for the child and have custody, but he may despise the mother for luring him into the trap.
Since there are so many obstacles in teen marriage, why do teens continue to do it? Multiple sources suggest reasons why teens get married. The two main reasons include insecurity and popularity. Insecurity is a key reason for teens getting married young. Someone may become convinced that the only way they will find love is by getting married. Smart-teenagers.com stated “Marriage is not the solution for wanting to get rid of your insecurity.”
Popularity is the other reason why teens get married. Someone may believe that being married will make peers jealous. Some weddings and receptions actually have the feel of a Sweet 16 party instead of a religious celebration atmosphere.
Marriage is truly a beautiful thing. It should be a bond between a man and a woman, not between a teenage boy and girl. The teen marriage rate has seen an astonishing increase since 1998. This is due to the entertainment industry. Some teens strive to be cool, and the industry is a major influence on this. If celebrities are getting married, all of sudden it is cool to get married. This is especially true when teens see people of their own age getting famous by doing something so simple. For the young teens caught up in it, this irrational decision can cause mental problems, as well as social shunning.
Teen marriage is a fad that will likely fade out. In the meantime, however, it is a trend that has potentially dreadful consequences.
