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When to Tie the Knot
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/ 17- Details
- Parent Category: Advanced News Lessons
- Category: Relationships Lessons
- Written by Chris Cotter
Around the world, young people have postponed marriage, preferring to wait to tie the knot. There are many reasons for this trend, such as the pursuit of careers and personal goals, a fear of divorce, and the realization that marriage is no longer the first step of adulthood but rather the last. Some see this shift as a positive. Of course, others are dismayed by the change.
Advocates of late marriage believe couples should wait until their late 20s and early 30s, as the average quality of marital life is improved. Couples are more likely to do things together, and are less likely to fret that their marriage is in jeopardy, let alone to even consider divorce. In part, greater personal experience affects their outlook. A better understanding of oneself allows each person to better choose a life partner. Financial stability, a completed education, and the beginnings of a career also greatly contribute to the success of the marriage. However, many people who wait too long may simply never marry.
But a significant number of people favor the opposite view, and believe that marriage at a younger age is better. An early marriage means that the couple matures together, as well as discovers the joys and pains of adulthood as a team. They rely on one another when faced with hardships. New research also suggests that couples married by their early 20s were slightly happier than those who waited until their late 20s. In addition, those who waited until their 30s or older to marry were far less satisfied with their relationships.
Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be an ideal age, no full proof guarantees of a happy and fulfilling life for those married at 28 instead of 23. Worldwide trends point to later marriages, but the jury remains undecided as to whether this is a good thing.
Preview some of the lesson material:
Title: Speculate and/or discuss the contents of today's article from its title: "When to Tie the Knot."
Fill in the Blank: Fill in the blank with the correct word.
- Around the world, young people have ( ) marriage, preferring to wait to tie the knot.
- Some people are ( ) by the change.
- Couples are less likely to ( ) that their marriage is in jeopardy.
- Couples are less likely to worry about their marriage, ( ) to even consider divorce.
- Greater personal experience affects a couple's ( ).
- Financial ( ) and a completed education help the success of the marriage.
- The beginnings of a career also greatly ( ) to the success of the marriage.
- Some people ( ) the opposite view, and believe that marriage at a younger age is better.
- An early marriage means that the couple ( ) together.
- They rely on one another when faced with ( ).
post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!
- What do you think is the ideal age for people to get married? Why do you think so?
- At what age do people usually get married in your country? Is this too young or too old?
- What does a successful marriage need? Please explain.
- Many couples live together before tying the knot. Do you think helps or harms a marriage? Why?
- Should couples stay married no matter what? Why/not?
Google Search: Type "marriage" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings.
