7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Marrying Later In Life

Every marriage (no matter the age group) has challenges and benefits. Yet, there are several unique advantages and disadvantages of marrying later in life. In this article, we explore those issues.

This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of marrying later in life. It notes that while there are some benefits to waiting to get married, there are also some drawbacks. The pros and cons are weighed against each other to help readers make a decision about whether or not to marry later in life.

According to a Brookings report on The Hamilton Project, fewer people are married today than at any time in the last fifty years.

This is ironic because Harvard University did a study that indicated married men are happier and healthier than unmarried men or divorced men.

Many indicate the reason is millennials are waiting later to marry and are living at home longer. Other studies show that marriage is viewed differently than it was in previous generations.

One study stated that delayed marriages are actually on the rise.

Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of late marriage.

What Are The Benefits Of Marrying Later In Life 

There are many benefits to marrying later in life, including:

 1. More life experience.

Couples who marry later in life tend to have more life experience than those who marry young. This can be beneficial in terms of greater maturity, greater financial stability, and a more realistic view of marriage.

 2. More time to get to know each other

Because couples who marry later in life have usually known each other for longer, they often have a better understanding of each other’s likes, dislikes, and quirks. This can lead to a stronger, more lasting relationship.

 3. Greater relationship satisfaction

Studies have shown that couples who marry later in life tend to be more satisfied with their relationship than those who marry young. This may be due to the fact that they have had more time to develop a strong relationship foundation.

 4. Less pressure

There is often less pressure to marry later in life. This can be beneficial in terms of reducing stress and allowing couples to focus on other aspects of their relationship.

 5. Avoid Pitfalls

Couples who marry later in life can often avoid some of the pitfalls that young couples may face, such as divorce.

Couples who marry later in life can often enjoy a more fulfilling and satisfying relationship because they are wiser about the struggles, pitfalls, and problems that hurt many marriages.

 6. Healthier Expectations

Couples who marry later in life tend to have more realistic expectations about marriage. This can lead to greater satisfaction with the relationship overall.

 7. Clear Focus

Couples who marry later in life often have more time to focus on their relationship. This can lead to a stronger bond and a more lasting relationship.

Also Read: Marrying Later In Life: Advice For A Fulfilling Relationship

Disadvantages Of Marrying Later In Life

Marrying later in life can have its drawbacks. You may have established your career and be set in your ways. You may also have had more time to date around and be pickier. Some research suggests that couples who marry later in life are more likely to divorce.

Here are some disadvantages of marrying later in life that you should consider.

1. Established Routines Are Hard To Break

Marrying later in life can be difficult because you may have already established your own independent life and routine.

It can be hard to change your routine to accommodate a new spouse, especially if you have been used to living on your own for a long time. There may also be a generation gap if you marry someone who is significantly younger or older than you. You may have different interests and goals, which can make it difficult to find common ground.

If you are used to being single, you may also find it hard to adjust to sharing your life with someone else. It can be a big change to go from being independent to being part of a couple. You may have to compromise on things that you are used to doing your own way.

Marrying later in life can be a challenge, but it can also be rewarding. If you are able to overcome the obstacles, you can build a strong and lasting relationship with your spouse.

2. There May Be Too Much Baggage

Marrying later in life can cause problems because you may have more baggage, such as ex-partners, children from previous relationships, or financial obligations. All of these things can make it difficult to build a strong, lasting relationship with your new partner. It’s important to be honest with each other about your past and to make sure you’re on the same page about your future before you get married.

Although we all have some baggage, we often don’t think about it when we’re younger and getting married for the first time.

But when you’re older and have been through a few relationships, it’s important to have a serious discussion about your past with your new partner. You need to be honest about any ex-partners, children, and financial obligations you may have. If you’re not on the same page about these things, it can cause problems in your new relationship.

It’s also important to think about your future together.

• Do you want to have children?
• Do you want to retire together?
• What are your financial goals?

Talking about these things before you get married can help you avoid problems down the road.

Marrying later in life can be wonderful, but it’s important to be honest with each other and to make sure you’re on the same page about your past and your future.

3. You May Be Set In Your Ways

Marrying later in life can be difficult because you may be set in your ways and find it difficult to compromise or make adjustments for your partner. This can cause problems because your partner may want to do things differently than you are used to, or they may not be used to your way of doing things. It is important to remember that marriage is a partnership, and you will need to be willing to work together to make it successful. If you are not willing to compromise, it may be best to wait until you are both on the same page before getting married.

Compromise is a key to making any marriage work. Especially if you’re marrying later in life, when both partners may have already developed strong opinions and habits. If you’re unwilling to budge on your own views and preferences or to make room for your partner’s, it’s likely that marriage will be more difficult than it needs to be.

Of course, there are some advantages to marrying later in life. You may be more confident in your decision to marry, and you may have a better sense of who you are and what you want in a partner. But, if you’re not willing to compromise, you may find that your marriage doesn’t last as long as you’d hoped.

For more information on this topic, check out our series on how to deal with past baggage.

4. The Energy Factor

Aging can have its challenges, especially when it comes to keeping the spark alive. As we age, we may have less energy and stamina, which can make it more difficult to keep things exciting. However, there are ways to overcome this. If you communicate with your partner and keep an open mind, you can keep the fire burning no matter what your age.

Here are a few ways loss of energy could affect your marriage:

1) You may not be able to keep up with your partner sexually.

As we age, our sex drive can decrease. This can be a problem if your partner has a higher sex drive than you do. If you’re not able to keep up with your partner sexually, it can create tension and resentment.

2) You may not be able to do the things you used to do together.

If you’re used to being active together but can no longer do the same things, it can be hard to find things to do together that you both enjoy. This can lead to feelings of boredom and resentment.

3) You may not have the same level of energy for other activities.

As we age, we often have less energy for activities we used to enjoy, like going out with friends or taking part in hobbies. This can lead to feeling isolated and bored.

4) You may find it harder to connect emotionally with your partner.

As we age, we often become set in our ways and can be less flexible emotionally. This can make it hard to connect with your partner on a deep level, which can lead to feeling disconnected and lonely.

If you’re married and finding that the spark is fading, or you desire a deeper emotional connection, it’s important to communicate with your partner. Talk about your concerns and see if there are ways you can work together to keep the spark alive. With a little effort, you can keep the fire burning no matter what your age.

5. The Time Factor

Marrying later in life can have its pros and cons. On one hand, you may have already established your career and be in a better financial position to support a family. On the other hand, you may have less time to enjoy your relationship before other commitments, such as work or caring for aging parents, take precedence.

If you’re considering marrying later in life, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons to see if it’s the right decision for you.

Here are a few pros and cons:

Pros:

• You’re more likely to be in a better financial position to support a family.
• You may have already established your career and have more stability.
• You may have a better understanding of what you want in a partner.

Cons:

• You may have less time to enjoy your relationship before other commitments take precedence.
• You may have more baggage from previous relationships.
• Your family and friends may not be as supportive since they’re used to you being single.

With that in mind, only you can decide if marrying later in life is the right decision for you. If you do decide to go down that path, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons and that you’re prepared for the challenges that come with it.

6. Health Issues

As we age, our bodies go through changes that can impact our health and well-being. For some people, this means that they may not be able to do the things they once could, or they may need more help with everyday tasks. This can be a problem when marrying later in life, as your partner may not be prepared to take on this additional responsibility.

It’s important to be honest with yourself and your partner about your health and what you are able to do. If you are both on the same page, it can help to make the transition easier. However, if there is a disconnect, it can put a strain on the relationship.

Marrying later in life can also be difficult because you may not have the same support system as someone who is marrying younger. Your friends and family may not be as available to help out, and you may not have the same network of people to rely on. This can make it more challenging to maintain a healthy and happy relationship.

If you are considering marrying later in life, it’s important to be aware of the challenges that you may face. By being honest with yourself and your partner, and by building a strong support system, you can help to overcome these obstacles.

7. Goal Conflicts

Late marriage can present some unique challenges that couples may not face when they tie the knot at a younger age.

For starters, you and your partner may have different ideas about what you want from life, which can lead to conflict. Perhaps one of you wants to travel the world while the other is content with staying closer to home. Or maybe one of you is looking to start a family right away while the other wants to wait a few years. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to talk about your expectations and desires early on to avoid any misunderstandings down the road.

Another potential issue that couples who marry later in life may face is that they may have already established their own independent lives. This can make it difficult to suddenly start sharing everything, from your finances to your living space. You may need to make some adjustments in order to make your new marriage work.

Of course, there are also some advantages to marrying later in life. For one, you’re likely to have a better sense of who you are and what you want, which can make for a stronger marriage. You may also be more financially stable and have more life experience, which can be helpful in navigating any challenges that come your way.

Whatever your reasons for marrying later in life, just be sure to go into it with your eyes wide open. It’s not always easy, but it can definitely be worth it.

Also Read: The Marriage Wheel: How To Set Healthy Relationship Priorities

Final Thoughts On Advantages and Disadvantages of Marrying Later In Life

Marrying later in life comes with both advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, couples usually have a better understanding of what they want in a partner and are more likely to have established careers. This can lead to a more stable and happier marriage. On the downside, couples may have less time to enjoy their marriage and start a family.

There is also the potential for more conflict, as couples may have different ideas about what they want from life.

In this article, we discussed seven advantages and seven disadvantages of late marriage.

Summary

• What Are The Benefits Of Marrying Later In Life 
  •  1. More life experience.
  •  2. More time to get to know each other
  •  3. Greater relationship satisfaction
  •  4. Less pressure
  •  5. Avoid Pitfalls
  •  6. Healthier Expectations
  •  7. Clear Focus
• Disadvantages Of Marrying Later In Life
  • 1. Established Routines Are Hard To Break
  • 2. There May Be Too Much Baggage
  • 3. You May Be Set In Your Ways
  • 4. The Energy Factor
  • 5. The Time Factor
  • 6. Health Issues
  • 7. Goal Conflicts

What’s Next?

We have resources available to help you create the marriage you desire and deserve.

The Healthy Marriage Quiz
If you want specific help for your marriage, or you want to know your healthy marriage score, take the marriage quiz. You’ll get immediate access with suggestions on how to improve your relationship.

The Healthy Marriage Toolkit
Books, Courses, Programs, and Tools designed to help you create the marriage of your dreams.

Five Simple Steps Marriage Course
Marriage doesn’t have to be complicated. In this 5 part mini-series, you’ll discover practical steps to redesign your marriage.

Healthy Marriage Courses
Our courses will help you build a strong marriage. Each course is designed to meet a specific relationship need.

If you are having serious marriage struggles, we recommend starting with ‘Save the Marriage System‘ by Lee Baucom.