This week’s question focuses more on personal advice. Should college-age couples get married, or should they wait for graduation? We asked Reveille opinion columnists what they thought.Matthew AlbrightMarriage is a colossal decision, one that should definitely not be taken lightly. Too many marriages are made with too little forethought, as evidenced by the obscenely high divorce rates our nation displays. Sharing your life with anybody is a huge responsibility that requires work, commitment and patience.College can be a highly stressful, tiring and time-consuming experience, and any couple that is pondering marriage should take this into account. Can a spouse come home from a full schedule of classes — not to mention a job — and have either the time or the energy to make the relationship work?In addition, the vast majority of divorces occur because of money problems — and what kind of person has to worry more about money than a college student?This isn’t to say that it’s utterly foolish for students to get married, especially considering the ever-increasing length of college careers.But the decision to take on the additional pressures of marriage during an already stressful environment should definitely not be made without serious consideration.- – –Isabel BlumStudents considering marriage should wait until after receiving a bachelor’s degree.College students, as a whole, have not had enough life experience to take on the responsibilities of marriage. The ability to work together on finances, residence upkeep and, if applicable, child care takes a lot of work and patience.The divorce rate among teen marriages is extremely high. This is because teens often marry to gain independence from their parents, keep their partners faithful or because of pregnancy.These aren’t reasons to rush into a serious commitment. If a couple is truly serious about their engagement, neither will have left the other when graduation rolls around. The ceremony of marriage won’t have left either.College should be a time to experience life. Try new things, meet new people, and think about how you want your life to go.Marriage needs to be taken seriously — not for granted. Don’t get married in college.- – –Daniel LumettaThe answer to this question is always situational.Students considering marriage during their college years should first understand the change from single life to marriage may complicate the transition from college life to professional life.Naomi Rockler-Gladen, owner and publisher of Suite101, an independent online magazine, offers relevant advice:Students must be sure not to marry for the wrong reasons, and must also be sure their intended futures are aligned — and in this case, sincerity is central to the discussion.When considering their future together, couples must reflect on a multitude of issues including location, career and financial ambition, family life and the role religion will play, and especially what sacrifices both are willing to make with regard to their own quality of life to ensure their partner’s satisfaction.College students who sincerely love each other and have considered everything that a future of married life entails should seek to marry as quickly as possible.Combined incomes will make college life much easier, but other benefits include a constant emotional companion and the mitigation of sexual complications. Marriage inevitably alleviates the sexual frustration and temptation that most, if not all, college students face.A faithful marriage can mean the abnormally high sexual drive present during college years can be kept under control and make other outside pressures more bearable.Sexual passion should never be the sole reason to pursue marriage but can help call attention to other more pressing issues, including school and job expectations.
The Peanut Gallery: Should college-age couples wait to get married?
April 15, 2009