Latoya Campbell, Outlook Youth Writer
I vividly recall a sleepover with some close friends when I was younger. We found a box with a wedding dress and other items of that nature inside, and couldn't resist the thrill of dressing up and 'getting married'. The hand-picked flowers made a wonderful bouquet, and everything else was picture-perfect!
Many of us have an idea of what could be deemed as the perfect wedding and look forward to such a day. However, there are a few who decide to speed up the process by taking their vows long before they have even established a career.
My classmates and I got into a somewhat heated discussion on the matter. It started out when someone asked me whether or not I would accept a proposal from someone for whom I had strong feelings.
"Absolutely not," I said without a shadow of a doubt.
"What if he's working and willing to cover your school expenses until you have graduated?" he asked, and continued to list some other motivations for an early union. Although at the end of it my decision was still rooted, I started wondering if it's all worth it in the long run!
"Marriage is another step that you take in showing that you want to spend the rest of your life with that person," says Kemar. While some persons make such a decision for all the right reasons, there are many persons who take marriage for granted and don't realise just how serious the situation is.
When I said 'I do'
The reasons for entering a union at an early age vary for most people, in the case of Camillelove was her ultimate motive. "Most people wouldn't want to tie themselves down at such an early age; they would rather have fun than be permanently committed. As long as you know you can manage, then go ahead. I thought I had found the right person and so far I haven't regretted it at all!"
What do you think?
"I think it is unwise. At that age, you're really trying to find yourself. Once you get married, it changes your whole perspective in life. You have to take into consideration your partner and many times your goals are pushed aside," said Mrs I. Marshall, a parent."When you're married it brings automatic maturity. It gives you a lesser chance of living a 'loose' life by yielding to fornication. Also, the things that used to concern you won't matter anymore. You'll be less concerned with what people think and about impressing others."- Stephen, 21
"It's unfair to doom all unions, but the fact is that while all may not fail, the majority does. If a young couple is considering marriage I think they should attend counselling sessions first. Marriage isn't a bed of roses and it is best if they have a clear idea of all the challenges that may lie ahead."- Jona-Lee, 19
"Any union is bound to have its fair share of troubles. I think that by getting married at an early age young people limit themselves. It is wiser, as love is patient, for the couple to achieve their personal goals so that they will be better able to take care of themselves before getting married."- Omar, 20
"The days of Romeo and Juliet are long gone and you can't follow in your grandparents' footsteps because that was a completely different generation. The longer you wait the better. If you're getting married because of pregnancy, or simply to get away from your parents, then don't. In the long run you will definitely regret that decision."- Tonya, 18
Names changed on request.
POLL - Do you think young people limit themselves by getting married at an early age?
RESPONSE
Strongly agree
Marriage brings so much responsibility, they'll hardly find time to achieve personal goals which haven't already been attained. 28 per cent
Agree
They've pretty much killed their youth by taking such a big step at that stage in their lives. 32 per cent
Disagree
If the couple is organised and plan properly, it can be successful. 40 per cent
Feedback
Demar Tracey, Outlook Youth Writer
In this section, readers of Outlook Youth are asked to share their views on the magazine and about social issues in general.
"I thought that the timing of the publication of the 'Dos and don'ts for job interviews' was perfect, because now is the time that we should begin to prepare our applications for summer jobs. So it served as a reminder to me in that aspect."
- Kathleen, 20
"Although it's not a segment in Outlook Youth, I really enjoy the 'Doctor's advice' because the doctor makes his suggestions and comments easy to understand. I would also like to say that the column serves as a sex education lecture, while seems to have been eliminated from my school's curriculum."- Tricia, 17
Have Your Say'Jamaica House Live', hosted by Prime Minister, Bruce Golding (a call-in radio programme) provides members of the public with the opportunity to voice their concerns and suggestions directly to the self-declared 'chief servant'. Now that a medium exists to Have Your Say on national matters, will you take full advantage of it?
"If it is guaranteed that when I call I'll get through, then why not? It's a good idea to get the public involved in issues of importance, because over the years the governments have failed to correctly assess the issues, so it's good to give the public a chance to voice theories that just might work. The question now is, will the Government take these suggestions seriously?"- Jerome, 23
"Yes, because it is our country and we are the ones who elected him, so it is only fair that he provides a medium that we can tell him what to do. Jamaica needs to get back to a position where safety is not a problem, likewise, financial stability and it is going to take a collective effort to get it there again. So thumbs up to Bruce for that idea!"- Alexia, 21
Please feel free to share yourviews about Outlook Youth byemailing your comments to demartracey@yahoo.com.
