5 reasons why this Stanford student says you should marry early

Marriage is often seen as one of life's few defining moments. While some see it as an obligation, others fantasize about being in a perfect matrimony. But in the end it is one of the most important part of everyone's 'bucket list'. However, what is surprising is the fact that people tend to put marriage far down their life timeline. According to the 2017 data collected by the United Nations, the average age for marriage varies in each country with Germany considering it to be 33.1 years, India 22.8 and USA 27.9.

In a recent blog for the Institute for family studies, Kasen Stephensen, a Stanford student, advocated how marrying early in life is a good decision to make, one that makes it easier for individuals to flourish. Stephensen shared how he planned to marry his fiancée after his junior year at the university but it so was not the case for his peers for whom dating or marriage was an objective for later.

In sociological research, there is a perspective called the "capstone" conception of marriage. People who adhere to this, view marriage as a culminating achievement sought after establishing a financial base, maturing, and exploring sexually. Currently, all Americans are more or less following this, with the median age for marriage rising to around 30 for men and 29 for women.

Stephensen advocates for an alternative model which is the "cornerstone" model where rather than a later achievement, marriage is considered the current foundation for life. The model emphasises the joining hands of two growing people who can build and experience their formative years together.

In a study published in the National Library of Medicine, it was found that men and women who marry early reported higher rates of sexual satisfaction than those who married later. The reason behind this may be the fact that people who get married early are devoted to one partner and have more sexual experiences with them, rather than having engaged in the current hook-up culture. A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family states that having more premarital sex partners leads to "worse communication, higher infidelity rates and even lower sexual quality during marriage."

Your 20s are the years when you are earning and spending simultaneously not thinking much in the direction of savings. When you combine your finances with that of your partner, you are both able to handle and save money better. A study in the Journal of Consumer Research states that merging bank accounts after marriage increases marital satisfaction. Couples can set financial habits and goals together and create a lifestyle that satisfies both.

In an age bracket, married people tend to earn more than single ones due to them having someone to rely on but also to earn for. This observation is termed the "marriage premium" An unemployed spouse can wait for a better opportunity by leaning on their employed partner while an employed partner is motivated to focus on high-paying work. This also allows couples to explore other financial ventures in terms of entrepreneurship and start-ups, which if successful can be more profitable than a desk job.

The sad reality in the lives of many young achievers is the lack of affection and support. While they may have tons of friends and might not need motivation from anyone but themselves, when a moment comes when you are not enough to handle your mind and emotions, everyone feels the nagging space of a partner in their life. When you marry early you have your partner to share the highs and the lows with and with a person you love having your back, you gain stability that allows you to flourish with even more motivation.