According to the American Psychological Association (APA), about 40% to 50% of first marriages in the USA end in divorce, with subsequent marriages having even worse odds. But I think I have an idea as to what causes it. Between our media and even a non-negligible number of politicians and pundits, I get the idea that many Americans are being urged to marry sooner rather than later. While I understand that there might be biological benefits to having children as a younger adult, I don't think that alone is worth blindly saying "yes" to the first partner that also says so.

Many Americans today are either getting married later in their lives, or forgoing the concept altogether. However, I don't see this as a problem in need of a solution, but rather as a segment of the population that's thinking ahead of the curve - one that's the ultimate conclusion of following the maxim that haste makes waste. After all, if you're going to spend many decades of your life with one person, why not take your time to find someone truly compatible?

Max Ian Engel

East Lyme