More college students say 'I do'
As time and people change, so do attitudes toward different aspects of life. For instance, when did tattoos become trash instead of art, when did people become so concerned with a stranger's sexual orientation, and when was a politically correct timeline placed on marriage?
More and more students are getting engaged and even married during their college years, raising a fuss from some people, but why? Senior Jeric Griffin recently married in December 2010.
"I don't agree with the ‘you're too young to get married' argument," Griffin said. "I see it as a generational issue. I think some people who make that argument married young themselves and are no longer happy, so they put it off on other people."
Sophomore Alyssa Shepherd is currently engaged and plans to be married this summer.
"I feel like marriage in general is quite underrated," Shepherd said. "Society does not regard it as a serious matter. People get divorced as if it is no big deal, and I think it should be recognized as a very serious commitment."
Both Griffin and Shepherd have set their sights on marriage, but freshman Dakota Crockett has a slightly different outlook.
"Getting married while in college is not something that I would want to do because people change [the most] throughout their college career," Crockett said. "I would not want to marry someone who turns out to be a completely different person by the time graduation arrives."
According to Griffin, marriage is not for everyone and requires responsibility, planning and, of course, money.
"Before I proposed to my wife, I had a very detailed plan that I discussed with both of our families," Griffin said. "I outlined everything we would need to live, as well as a plan for our schooling, scholarships, jobs and budget. I would not have taken on the responsibility of marriage had I not been ready."
Shepherd also thinks that marriage should not be taken lightly.
"Getting married young is not for everyone," Shepherd said. "Most college students want to party and have fun, or put off marriage until their careers have progressed, but I think if you find the right person and you are ready, then why wait?"
Crockett, on the other hand, favors waiting for marriage.
"I completely agree with the ‘too young to get married' stigma because time has shown that many couples who marry young do not fully grasp what they are getting themselves into," he said.
However, time has also shown that with the necessary qualities, young marriages can work.
"In my opinion, you are too young to get married if you are unaware of the commitment you are making, if you are entirely dependent on your parents or if you cannot handle the responsibility of a new marriage on top of everything else," Griffin said. "For marriage to work at any age, the couple should have every detail so planned out that when the wedding finally happens, the transition from one life to another can be made smoothly."
So, some think marriage has soiled people's hearts, some believe it is not as sacred as it should be, and some believe it should not be rushed into, but the ever-present question still remains, "How young is too young?"
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent The East Texan News Articles
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE EAST TEXAN NEWS
- 'Expendables 2' epitomizes dumb but fun action
- 'The Bourne Legacy' disappoints with same old thrills
- Tasteless 'Total Recall' remake leaves audiences underwhelmed
- Actor chemistry saves 'The Watch' from being boring waste
- Batman goes out strong in final 'Dark Knight' film
- 'Ted' marks promising film career for McFarlane
- Stylistic choices sink 'Savages'
RECENT THE EAST TEXAN CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- BookTrib's Bites: Four Captivating Spring Reads
- Moms Kick Back with Mamaritas
- Generac Urges Americans to Prepare for Power Outages Early
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
- 7 Reasons Renting an RV Should Be On Every Family’s S...
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK