Historically, most Russians married in their teens, and almost always with the consent and blessing of their parents. Modern experts in Russia are coming to understand the wisdom in this approach
My great-grandmother married at age 14, and lived until I was 12 years old. I got to know her and remember her. If she had waited until she was 28 that would not have been possible.
The article did not discuss this question, but I suspect that the most successful marriages tend to be a established older man with a young virgin wife. When a teenage boy gets married as my paternal grandfather did, the biggest stress on the family is often scarcity of money, which can lead to divorce as it did in his case. Men tend to reach their peak earning power between 30 and 45. There are benefits for the man to wait to get married. But for women, who have a limited window of fertility it makes sense to marry early in that window. God designed women to mature faster for that reason. A 12 year old girl from a family that trains her well usually has enough responsibility to be a mother. Yet, the part of a man's brain responsible of wise judgement doesn't completely mature until age 21. That is why insurance rates are so high for drivers under 21. This suggests there is about a ten year gap between the ages that men and women become mature enough for marriage.
Early marriage is good... but in this culture, especially in the west, maturity is sorely lacking. So maturity has to be instilled in young people before we safely go back to young marriages. But sadly, most of Christendom in the west mocks the idea of marrying young.
Also, don’t discount late pregnancies. My youngest was born when my wife was 41 and he is a very solid young man. My youngest sister was born when my mom was 44... and she is brilliant.
My great-grandmother married at age 14, and lived until I was 12 years old. I got to know her and remember her. If she had waited until she was 28 that would not have been possible.
The article did not discuss this question, but I suspect that the most successful marriages tend to be a established older man with a young virgin wife. When a teenage boy gets married as my paternal grandfather did, the biggest stress on the family is often scarcity of money, which can lead to divorce as it did in his case. Men tend to reach their peak earning power between 30 and 45. There are benefits for the man to wait to get married. But for women, who have a limited window of fertility it makes sense to marry early in that window. God designed women to mature faster for that reason. A 12 year old girl from a family that trains her well usually has enough responsibility to be a mother. Yet, the part of a man's brain responsible of wise judgement doesn't completely mature until age 21. That is why insurance rates are so high for drivers under 21. This suggests there is about a ten year gap between the ages that men and women become mature enough for marriage.
Early marriage is good... but in this culture, especially in the west, maturity is sorely lacking. So maturity has to be instilled in young people before we safely go back to young marriages. But sadly, most of Christendom in the west mocks the idea of marrying young.
Also, don’t discount late pregnancies. My youngest was born when my wife was 41 and he is a very solid young man. My youngest sister was born when my mom was 44... and she is brilliant.