How old do you need to be to get engaged?

Question

Because my boyfriend said he wants to ask me to marry him when I turn 16 and then we'll get married at 18 or 19. Is that a good idea or am I too young?

If we wait to get married, should we move in together when we are 18 or 19?

Answer 1

You're going to do what you want to do anyways, so why do you bother to ask?

Answer 2

You're too young. You shouldn't be thinking about getting engaged until you finish high school and ideally, college.

You are so, so, so young. You have NO idea how much your life is going to change when you get into your 20's.

I have a group of friend's from high school, just last night we were laughing at all the stupid things we did in high school. Stuff we thought was "right" was wrong and immature.

It wasn't bad stuff and nothing to be ashamed about. But, part of growing up is learning new things about the world and yourself.

At your age and even mine (I'm 23) there is still a lot of things I haven't experienced yet.

If you truly love this person, you'll wait for each other. Marriage is a partnership and something you want to succeed. Part of a successful marriage (after love,etc) is money. Money is the number one cause of divorce.

You both need to go to college and get good jobs. Give your relationship a fighting chance. Look at the odds for young marriage. They aren't good.

The longer you wait (and the more prepared) to get married, then less likely you'll become a statistic.

Answer 3

It's all up to the individual. When you're 18, you'll be an adult and you can make that decision.

But, I would be cautious about getting married so early. While you'll legally be an adult, in today's world, people don't usually have their lives figured out well enough to know what they'll want forever.

Plus, I think it's important to learn to be independent and to live on your own. Getting married really young can make it difficult to learn who you are and learn how to take care of yourself.

I would personally recommend waiting a few years -- go to college, work, travel, make friends, gain financial independence and happiness -- then get married. If it's meant to last forever, then why rush into it when you're young?

Answer 4

UHG. Don't do a long engagement. When you get engaged, your body changes physically to the impending marriage. Chemicals are released into your body, and those chemicals give you that giddy feeling. Unfortunately, your body stops producing them 18- 24months into the engagement.
The same kinda thing happens when you first get married, most commonly referred to newlywed syndrome, and that usually goes away within a year. There is nothing wrong with getting engaged and married qickly, and at a young age. I am 18, and getting married in 2 weeks. By the time of the wedding, we will only engaged for 3weeks total.
In the end do what you want. No one know whats better for you, than you!

Answer 5

I think when you are young, then you are in a rush to do it to feel like you are being independent and in love. But everyone I know that didn't get married early (and most of the early birds are divorced I'm sad to say) all felt too YOUNG to get engaged/married when they were in their 20's. After to get out in the world, then you realize all the things you want to do. Getting married (and especially having kids) can sometimes put a stop to that or slow it down.

You don't have to be engaged to be together. I've been with my guy for 9 years ... only engaged for the past 1 year. But when I was younger like you I would have been in a huge rush.

I don't know you, but just realize that you really will change your opinions and feelings SOOOO MUCH in the next 5, 10, etc. years. Getting engaged isn't required to be in love.

Answer 6

Wait until you are at least 20 or so. You have way to much life ahead of you. If I were you, I would dump my boyfriend and enjoy your teenage years. If he is still around when you are ready to get married then great. Live it up while you are young. You will have plenty of time in life to be married, but only a short window to be young.

Answer 7

Way too young!!!! You both will have a lot of growing up to do. I started dating my boyfriend my senior year of high school and now we have been together for 6 years. We both still have some growing up to do before we make that committment to each other.
I think it's possible to continue growing your relationship without having to be married. In order for you two to have a good life later, you should maybe focus on school and hopefully college so that you can both be financially secure before you worry about getting married. You have so much life ahead of you, that getting married doesn't have to happen right out of high school.

Answer 8

Too young, hun, I'm 18 and although we spoke about it, me and my 23 year old boyfriend who have been together a year and known each other 3 years, have decided to wait until im 20 at the very least

Answer 9

You can get engaged at any age, only you and your family know you well enough to say whether you can maturely handle marriage.
If you do become engaged, enjoy your long engagement as a time to get to know eachother better and to become a stronger couple. There are many stories about successful relationships like this, but also unsuccessful. If you are serious about this relationship, you should see what types of resources (books) about marriage you can read and learn about.

Answer 10

Its perfectly fine to become engaged at 16 and have a two years or more long engagement.

What are your plans? College? Job? Living expenses?

You could get engaged, but wait until AFTER you both graduate to get married.

Answer 11

Yea that is WAY too young. You need to wait. You have so much ahead of you...finish high school - college. You are too young, and don't even know what you want out of life! You are going to be changing so much...getting married that young will be a mistake. I think that you should continue to date your boyfriend - but that is all - no engaement yet. ENJOY your teenage years and college years! Trust me!