Yes, I'm young and yes, I do.
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: Forum
In November 4th's publication of The Mountain Echo, Forum Editor Andrew Wojtek wrote an article lamenting and criticizing the prospect of young people getting married. As a recently engaged young male, I know that I am among the minority, by a long shot, and don't pretend to be anything but. However, I would like to argue against the assertion that my decision to marry young is, "cheating [myself] out of a life experience," as Mr. Wojtek described it.
If I truly viewed getting married right out of college as "stunting my growth" as he said, would I go through with it? What is even more telling is the perspective of my fiancée. As a middle-eastern woman, she has done everything possible to shed the image of the subservient, closed-in cliché that most people think of. As one of the most adventurous free spirits I have ever met, she would never describe her decision to get married young as confining.
As a strong Catholic Christian, I view the world through a very specific lens, and I realize that. I view marriage as a vocation, and one of the most precious, and satisfying things I could ever possibly do with my life. The idea that I am cheating myself out of valuable life experience, or losing my sense of self and independence is quite frankly offensive, and just plain ignorant. Maybe for some people this would be true but certainly not for many others such as myself, and to lay a normative judgment on something as central to society as marriage is irresponsible, in my opinion.
Whoever decided that the idea of self-exploration and personal growth are incompatible with marriage? If I were to make any definitive statement regarding this statement, it would be that the prospect of marriage would further bring these areas to the surface. Growth and knowledge of oneself within the marriage covenant is something I consider to be part of the territory, if not for others than certainly for myself.
I realize, as Mr. Wojtek stated, that my twenties are supposed to be a time of growth and transformation, and a time for me to discover who I am as an individual. I would
If I truly viewed getting married right out of college as "stunting my growth" as he said, would I go through with it? What is even more telling is the perspective of my fiancée. As a middle-eastern woman, she has done everything possible to shed the image of the subservient, closed-in cliché that most people think of. As one of the most adventurous free spirits I have ever met, she would never describe her decision to get married young as confining.
As a strong Catholic Christian, I view the world through a very specific lens, and I realize that. I view marriage as a vocation, and one of the most precious, and satisfying things I could ever possibly do with my life. The idea that I am cheating myself out of valuable life experience, or losing my sense of self and independence is quite frankly offensive, and just plain ignorant. Maybe for some people this would be true but certainly not for many others such as myself, and to lay a normative judgment on something as central to society as marriage is irresponsible, in my opinion.
Whoever decided that the idea of self-exploration and personal growth are incompatible with marriage? If I were to make any definitive statement regarding this statement, it would be that the prospect of marriage would further bring these areas to the surface. Growth and knowledge of oneself within the marriage covenant is something I consider to be part of the territory, if not for others than certainly for myself.
I realize, as Mr. Wojtek stated, that my twenties are supposed to be a time of growth and transformation, and a time for me to discover who I am as an individual. I would
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