College students: 25 is perfect age for marriage - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

College students: 25 is perfect age for marriage

Updated:

TUESDAY, Dec. 4 (HealthDay News) -- A national survey finds that American college students believe that 25 is the right age to get married, but most of their parents believe that's a bit too young.

"The assumption has been that the younger generation wants to delay marriage and parents are hassling them about when they would get married," study lead author Brian Willoughby, a professor at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, said in a university news release. "We actually found the opposite -- that the parental generation is showing the 'slow-down' mindset more than the young adults."

The survey included more than 500 college students from five campuses around the country, and the students' parents. The concern about their children getting married too young was shared by both mothers and fathers.

"Initially we thought that this might be dads wanting their daughters to delay marriage," Willoughby said. "Moms and dads trended together -- gender wasn't a factor."

In general, the parents believed the right age to get married was a year older than what their children said, according to the study, which was published in the November print issue of The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.

One of the main reasons for parents' wanting their children to get married at a later age was that they believed their children should get an education first, according to the survey.

"I think parents have a lot of fear for their kids that makes them want to delay the transitions to adulthood," Willoughby said.

The median age for first marriages in the United States is 27, according to 2010 Census data.

More information

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy offers advice about marriage preparation.

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.
Powered by WorldNow
3514 State St. Erie, PA 16508
Newsroom: (814)454-8812
Toll Free: 1(800)454-8812
Business offices: (814)454-5201
WICU FCC Filing
WSEE FCC Filing
Share:
Share Stories
Submit your stories to our site!
Share Photos
Share your photos in our community galleries
Mobile:
Mobile Site
Be sure to stay constantly updated with the power of WICU12 and WSEE at your fingertips
Free Android App
Free iPhone App
Free iPad App
Storm Tracker App
Droid
iPhone
iPad
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WICU. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
                   WICU/WSEE - 3514 State Street Erie, PA 16508 - (814) 454-5201 - info@wicu12.com