The Best Age for Marriage:Early 60's Culture and Marriage

The Best Age for Marriage

Early 60's Culture and Marriage

I was born and raised in a small coal mining and dress manufacturing town in North Eastern Pennsylvania. During the time I spent in high school (1958-1961), the consensus was that women did not go to college. Women were supposed to marry and take care of their husbands, homes, and children. 


My dad, who only had a fifth-grade education, insisted that I attend college. I am thankful for his understanding of the importance of education. Curiously, my dad’s rationale rejected the norm of his generation, although he was traditional in other matters. 

I can still remember vividly what he said, “ I want you to go to college and get an education. In that way, if anything happens to your husband, you could take care of yourself and your children." Little did my father know what an invaluable gift he bestowed upon me. In 1965, I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. I married soon afterward at the age of 21. Many of my high school classmates had married by then. Why Marriage Matters: Facts and Figures featured in For Your Marriage discloses, “In 1960, the median age [of marriage] for men was 23 and 20 for women.” (Wilcox) My classmates and I had fit neatly into that median age group. Today, the 2010 U.S. Census data  reports that the median age of first marriage for men is 28.7 and 26.5 for women. 

Live simply.

Speak softly.

Love unconditionally

Next: Why Wait to Marry?

The Best Age for Marriage: Once Upon a Time

THE BEST AGE FOR MARRIAGE

(FAIRYTALES, DREAMS, AND REALITIES) 

Once Upon a Time

Do you recognize this picture? Of course you do. From the movie Pinocchio, it is Jiminy Cricket singing, “When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you.”  (Disney)

This song has been around for over seventy-four years and has, no doubt, heartened many children, including myself, to believe in this inspiring message. Perhaps, as a young child , you dreamed of your future and wondered what life had in store for you. Fairy tales, folklore, and fantasy play an important part in a child’s life. Research has shown how important imagination is to a child’s cognitive development. According to psychologist Brunno Bettelheim, (‘Fairy tales [folklore and fantasy] are an important tool for children learning to navigate reality and survive in a world ruled by adults’) (Carrie Hughes)

By now, you are undoubtedly wondering what this mini-lesson in child development has to do with the age at which people should marry. 

For example, consider the trials and tribulations through which Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel had to traverse. These are well known characters that most girls love to read about in story books. The beautiful heroine, in dire straits, is rescued by the prince and they live happily ever after.

Conversely, the boys in their peer group are off saving the world, imitating G.I. Joe, Ironman, or Superman. Action, catastrophic events, and myriad scenes of  explosions and devastation, have infinite possibilities for a fantasy hero. Furthermore, heroes frequently snap up the girls at the end of most stories.

For many men and women, this archetypal notion of true love, despite the fact that these stories help develop us into strong, discerning, and mature individuals,  play a pernicious unconscious role when couples date and consider marriage. Consequently, the success of finding one’s Soul Mate, Mr. Right, or Mr. Right for Right Now may well depend on the age at which one decides to marry.

Live simply.

Speak softly.

Love unconditionally.

Next: Early 60's Culture and Marriage

DOGS KNOW BEST!

“Whenever I feel the need to exercise, I lie down until it goes away.” 

― Paul Terry

 

Introducing Robbie Mcgriff

My name is Robbie Mcgriff and I am a full-time student at the University of South Carolina, Lancaster, and I am raising money for my sewing business.View on 

www.gofundme.com        http://www.gofundme.com/l1t7os

I met Robbie in the Fall of 2013. We were attending an English class at  The University of South Carolina Lancaster Campus. We hit it off immediately since we were the oldest kids in the class.

 I was auditing the class for fun and to hone my writing skills. On the other hand, Robbie was working on a Business Degree.  I discovered that she had been holding down a job for six years at minimum wage.




Personally, I know how difficult it is to work, earn a degree, and take care of the myriad challenges of everyday life. I was impressed by Robbie’s determination to become a business woman.


Soon after meeting, I discovered that Robbie was facing an extremely difficult decision. Due to the stress of holding down a job and attending the University full time, Robbie had to choose one or the other. If she chose the job, she would continue to struggle to make ends meet. Dropping out of USCL would mean that she would be unable to pay back her loan. Thus, she would never be able to reach her goal of becoming a business woman.

Robbie is a talented seamstress. She used her sewing skills at times to help bring in some extra money.  Robbie would very much like to build up her sewing business to earn additional funds to help her continue her education.

I have always believed that our country would flourish if education was an integral and critical component of life.

Please afford Robbie the opportunity to earn her degree.

LIVE SIMPLY.

SPEAK SOFTLY.

LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY.

Something to Ponder

God’s Plan Yes, and...
Goodness is its own reward and evil is its own punishment, and then we must all leave the future to the mercy and love of God, instead of thinking we are the umpires and judges of who goes where, when, and how. What a cosmic waste of time and energy and attention. -from Yes, and...
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