Age Difference in Marriage

[captaincatholic]

Island Oak:

Does anyone find themselves surprised to learn that the only person this guy could attract, living like and giving off the appearance of being a pauper, is a teenager from the 3d world?! What woman in her right mind would deduce that he could be a stable provider with whom to bear children and make a home given how he presents himself?!

There are plenty of age-appropriate (30-something) women who are very traditional in their lifestyle, values and faith who are available to marry in this country. He sounds like he needs to do some major work on himself before he considers marriage to anyone–much less an underage foreigner. And personally, the thought of marrying someone who wasn’t even alive when I left for college creeps me out.

I disagree. I am married to a man nearly 10 years older than me, but have always appreciated older men. I was also a very mature teen, so I could see where a woman, especially one from a culture that is not so pampered or confused as ours, could be ready for marriage at 18.

Traditionally, women married men much older than themselves. This is not so invogue now because our society is hyper-conscious of the more sensual side of romantic relationships. For a woman who wants to settle down and have a family, this match sounds not so far from made in Heaven. It just depends… who is to say that it is not in God’s plan for both parties?

May God bless them, and may the Holy Spirit guide them and all who are discerning marriage in this world confused by sinfulness, excess, selfishness, and imperfection.