One of my sister in laws met her husband at 16 (before I met my husband) and they wanted to get married then. They waited until she was 19 and married two days before our second son was born. There is no doubt in my mind that when a young couple has faith in common, and makes that commitment, they can build that pair bond that makes staying together easy....and parting?.... INCONCEIVABLE!.
I can genuinely say yes. One of my daughters started her family at 18. It was probably a year too late. Another one started hers around 19 and it was definitely 2 years too late.
I wasn't ready for marriage before I was past 20, and I mean I wasn't ready for an adult relationship. That means I wasn't doing what the world calls "dating" either.
Yes, my logical mind would want that for them if it was the right man.
My emotional mind would however find it difficult for me to recognise that it was the right man, and agree with my logical mind, as I'd still be thinking of them as my little girl. But then I'll find it difficult to give away my daughters at any age, I'm not sure that will be greatly different when they're 25.
This is the anticipated issue we face with my husband's new father in law. She was a mother, very much thinking like a serious adult about life, and 25 years old.....BUT because of primarily the age difference, my husband is likely to be thought of as someone who abused his position as her boss, or manipulated her into a relationship with him. The biggest reason I believe this thinking is so prevalent is that people hear about the abnormal and abusive practices of particular religious groups that practice polygyny, yet rarely
ever are aware of the healthy families that do two (or more) wife families right. Because the publicity goes to the abnormal, the average person's exposure to the whole concept is prejudiced and badly skewed.
When two people decide to marry their reasons are assumed to be compatibility, attraction, love and effection for each other, and a desire to do life together including raising children. People hearing of an engagement or wedding are usually happy for the couple and wish them well.
Why is it that when a man marries again his motives for commiting to a second woman are automatically suspect?