Social customs, priorities change

I’m 20 and single. When my parents were 20, they were engaged to be married in a few short months.

It seems crazy to think that at one moment in time holy matrimony was something that would rank high on the list of a 20-year-old’s list of concerns, but it was. Most people I know are single – they aren’t necessarily thrilled at that fact – but they aren’t longing to be wrapped in white taffeta or stuffed into a morning coat, either.

My friends Emily and Isaac have been dating for almost five years. Both are 20. Now, following the logic our parents seemed to have followed back in the 80s, Emily ought to be looking through Modern Bride and picking out her bridesmaids dresses.

But neither Emily nor Isaac are ready to
get married.

When I asked Emily if she thought her and Isaac would get married, she answered yes. She added that she didn’t see it happening for a long time. She wanted to travel, to have a career, she wanted to live her life before she tied the knot.This isn’t to say that Emily doesn’t want to do these things with Isaac by her side. But being married at 20, or in the near future, doesn’t rank high on either of their priority lists. They love each other and that’s what is important to both of them.

How it was possible that we could be straying far from the paths of our parents as we are?

We want to be so much more than just a significant other.

At some point we would like to have someone to be with,but we don’t mind if that doesn’t happen right away.

There’s nothing wrong with doing things at our own pace.

Society is changing in our favor, let’s embrace it.