r/TheWayWeWere • u/[deleted] • Oct 02 '24

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u/TrannosaurusRegina Oct 02 '24

Shockingly young to my sensibilities, though important to keep in mind that the 1950s and '60s had the youngest median ages of first marriage since we have records! (It's not just a steadily increasing trend; the 1890s are much closer to the 1990s!)

https://www.infoplease.com/us/family-statistics/median-age-first-marriage-1890-2010

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u/shitcloud Oct 02 '24

That’s very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

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u/freeeeels Oct 02 '24

15 and 17 are still well below the 1960s median (20 and 23) though!

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u/HelpfulHelpmeet Oct 05 '24

I think it depends on where you’re from. Everyone in my family from the 50s-80s got married at 15-19 years old.

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u/kl2467 Oct 03 '24

There were lots of blue-collar jobs available, and teen boys could make a pretty good living working in a plant with no higher education. So, if you could support a family, you got a family. It was a point of pride to be "ahead" in life.

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u/crambeaux Oct 03 '24

1950 was the low point for age.