You're Too Young for Love!

In the short time since I graduated from high school and from college, I've noticed an interesting phenomenon. In addition to those who have gotten pregnant, which is to be expected, many people in my young peer group are also getting married. As in 22, 23 year olds making lifetime commitments.

This surprises some ppl, because we say things like, they're too young to get married; or who wants to be tied down at that age?

(But let me remind you that years ago, someone unmarried in her 20s would be considered an old maid. )

The thing is, we've equated youth with fun, and that is equated to the single life. We perpetuate the idea that now is the time to date around. (You remember the mathematic theorum that if a+b=c, and b+c=a, then a=c...or sumthin like that) SO yea, in other words to be young means to be single as well, these days. Don't get me wrong, it is absolutely NECESSARY to identify and evaluate your options. But let's not act like you cant have fun and you cant enjoy your youth unless you're single.We look at ppl like they're crazy if, instead of goin thru as many ppl as they can right now, they actually decide to try to be committed to one person.
Boyfriend/girlfriend relationships are extremely fragile at this age, let alone a husband/wife deal.

I'll be real: I, too used to feel like I was"missing out" on something by being in a relationship instead of being able to entertain any offer that comes my way. It takes maturity and discipline to decide you will be with one person, and the ability to deny your self the opportunity to appease your curiosities requires a level of restraint that young ppl feel they shouldn't have to exercise right now....I understand that.

I'll even go a step further: the idea of "success" also does not come with the notion of being in a relationship. It looks like you can't really enjoy the fruits of your labor with a wife or husband in tow. We see celebs trading partners each week, and it looks again, like dating as many hot ppl as you can, as quickly as you can, is a measurement of your wealth and success.

I'm not saying that marriage should be everyone's end goal....Do whatever makes you happy. If having the freedom to sleep with whoever, whenever makes you happy - get it in! If being a maneater floats your boat cuz u enjoy being able to pull any man in the room - do it, mama! If you enjoy the idea of ho*s fallin at your feet as a result of you having cash/a lil success/a lil fame - do you! But some ppl feel like if that's what they're "missing out on" by being booed up, then they can live with that. If you've realized that the person you're with is worth more than any potential fling, then why not make it official? It is quite possible that having someone who loves and supports you and will be there when you come home at night could be quite fulfilling, whether you're 23 or 33.