Marriage Age
Step One:
Open-Ended Prompt: In an open-ended response paragraph (5-7 sentences), answer the following:
Explain what age people should get married, offering 3-4 reasons why you believe that age is most
appropriate.
Step Two: Read the piece from the article “Sooner vs. Later: Is There an Ideal Age for First Marriage?”
Answer the questions about the article.
1. According to the article, why are many adults like the Beckers waiting to get married?
2. What are some of the arguments for getting married younger (say in your early to mid twenties)?
3. What are some of the arguments for getting married when you are in your later 20s or early 30s?
4. Summarize the research findings of Norval Glenn at the University of Texas-Austin regarding marriage
ages.
5. According to the chart, what is the median (or middle) age of marriage for men in 1890? In 1960? In
2007? What are the median ages for marriage for women in 1890? In 1960? In 2007? What trend, or
pattern, is there from 1890 to 2007, regardless of sex?
Marriage Age
Step One:
Open-Ended Prompt: In an open-ended response paragraph (5-7 sentences), answer the following:
Explain what age people should get married, offering 3-4 reasons why you believe that age is most
appropriate.
Step Two: Read the piece from the article “Sooner vs. Later: Is There an Ideal Age for First Marriage?”
Answer the questions about the article.
1. According to the article, why are many adults like the Beckers waiting to get married?
2. What are some of the arguments for getting married younger (say in your early to mid twenties)?
3. What are some of the arguments for getting married when you are in your later 20s or early 30s?
4. Summarize the research findings of Norval Glenn at the University of Texas-Austin regarding marriage
ages.
5. According to the chart, what is the median (or middle) age of marriage for men in 1890? In 1960? In
2007? What are the median ages for marriage for women in 1890? In 1960? In 2007? What trend, or
pattern, is there from 1890 to 2007, regardless of sex?