History help: Need times in history when it was socially acceptable for middle age men to marry teenage women

Answer 1

If by teenage, you mean 18 and 19, then it is still legal and acceptable everywhere. India recently passed a law forbidding marriage for those under 18. In some US states, the age of marriage with parental consent is 14, in others it is 16; the age of consent (where parental agreement is no longer needed to get married) is 18 (in Nebraska it's 19 and in Mississippi it's 21).

For teenagers 13-17, it's still acceptable in many parts of the world, particularly the developing world where parents can't always afford to take care of their daughter and an older man is sometimes a blessing.

Of course, before the 20th century women had few legal rights and little say about who they married in western Europe and the United States. Even after the Middle Ages during the Renaissance and the Romantic period, most women married during their teenage years. The shift only occurred in the 19th century with industrialization, as women moved to urban areas and garnered independence and needed to support themselves -- gradually, marriage and childbearing came later in life. During the Middle Ages and before "child brides" (not even teenagers yet) existed, predominantly among powerful families eager to secure alliances, even if it meant that there was an enormous age disparity between the spouses. Often the bride's family in those cases was allowed to take care of her until she reached maturity (as in her period), at which point the husband was allowed to "claim his rights". More often, a child could be engaged to a much older man, and their marriage would take place once she got her period and was therefore able to have children.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I assume you mean in the good old USA. The answer: right up to the recent past. It has only been since the "invention" of the "teenager" in the 1950's that the practice has been frowned upon.

Here's a little story: My great-grandfather, a Union hero of the Civil War, married a 16 year old girl in 1884 when he was 43. Her family was DELIGHTED! He had a successful business, a productive farm, and status in the community. All things no young man could offer her. (The "happy couple" went on to have nine children, six of who lived to adulthood.)

The concept that "love" and "marriage" go together ("like a horse and carriage") is a modern "Hollywood" one. Back in the days before welfare, credit cards, and the social acceptance of divorce, getting married wasn't about a man being "hot.". It was about "can he support a family?"

Answer 3

The Bible? Or in history? In history and so during the periods in which the Bible is believed to have been written, yes. Up until the late 1800's girls were married off soon after turning 13 or 14 depending on their development. This was very common and even men were married very young too, though not as young as the women. I don't know enough about the Bible to know if this was an accepted practice according to the faith, but it did happen quite commonly.

Answer 4

Depending on local custom, it has always been acceptable.
"Middle age" of course is a pretty flexible timeframe - from late 30s (if you are being realistic about your actuarials) to late 50s (if you are into comb-overs).
The only problem with these "May-December" marriages is that, because of the vast cultural gap between a 50-year-old man and a 17 or 18-year-old girl, the unions are obviously formed only on the basis of sex - whether for procreation or recreation. This makes the man a target for ridicule and/or envy (depending on the society).
Social acceptability is defined by the society, of which the world has many, and varied.

Answer 5

Hi,,, all during the middle ages that would be acceptable, because women died in child birth so much.. and the men had to find a mother for children that he already had...

Actually, it still goes on in the Middle East,,with arraigned marriages...

good luck

Answer 6

It still is. Why should it not be. The guy has settled down, he is financially secure and can take care of a family. I doubt there ever was a time that it was not acceptable.

Answer 7

In Europe up until very recently, say even about the 1950s-obviously not for everyone but I hear of instances of it all the time when I am talking to my grandparents.

Answer 8

In some parts of------,It still is. Of course the area is so far back in the hallers,you could find a new species of man or something.That's where my mom grew up.(I don't want to say as it might offend someone.)

Answer 9

HAHAHA.............. Well I got married in September of 2000. I was 34 and my wife was 18. I havent heard anyone complain yet

Answer 10

Always.