How old were you when you got married? ATCKs tend to marry late. 41 percent did not wed until after 25.
According to research, ATCKs tend to marry late–41 percent did not wed until after 25.
How old were you when you got married? If you’re planning on getting married, when will that be?
From the research:
“FAMILY AND COMMUNITY: A number of our respondents continue to feel rootless, alienated, and unable to make commitments to people or places. Most, however, marry (80 percent) and settle into their communities. Commitment is suggested by the fact that the divorce rate is lower than the national average; two out of three who marry do so only once. However, ATCKs tend to marry late–41 percent did not wed until after 25. While nearly all married Americans, most (60 percent) in this study married someone who had at least some international experience when they met; a number married other TCKs.
… ATCKs tend to marry late–41 percent did not wed until after 25.
Most of those who marry (80 percent) have children and typically report that their child-rearing is in some way influenced by having lived abroad. These answers are undoubtedly an important way TCKs differ from other globally mobile individuals such as immigrants. Rather than stress a national or ethnic identity, these ATCKs seek ways to introduce their offspring to the diversity of the world’s people and cultures. Their message, overwhelmingly, is one of accepting, respecting, and treasuring differences.
A sense of fitting in, of finding a home, is indicated by the fact that 70 percent say it would be somewhat or very difficult to leave their present community. For some this is a matter of obligations, but for most it is because they are integrated into community or friendship groups, and, as a number pointed out, “I’ve lived here longer than any place in my life.” While saying that they would hate to leave, the TCK background surfaces in many who added that they could move easily and would, in fact, enjoy meeting new people and new challenges.
Source: http://www.tckworld.com/useem/art5.html
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27 Comments to “How old were you when you got married? ATCKs tend to marry late. 41 percent did not wed until after 25.”
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:01 am
I was 27 when I met my husband, and 28 when we were married. 29 when we had our first child.
We’ve been together now for 11 years, and will be married for 10 years at the end of this month.
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November 4th, 2008 at 1:26 am
Odd one out…Married at 22, still married at 40,(18 and 1/2 yrs.) we have 3 kids, 17, 15, and 5 1/2- (make no mistake!) My US passport wife was born in West Africa but left very young although she sought out international experiences. We have been in China now for 5 years.
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November 9th, 2008 at 2:41 am
Well, I’ve hit 25 and I’m not married, not in a serious relationship and not really trying either. I have always thought that 28 would be a great age to get married. My friends sister got married at 28, she’s a TCK and she thought 28 was too old.
Most of the girls I finished secondary school with are married and already have their first borns - they seem very settled.
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November 9th, 2008 at 6:13 am
25 is old to get married now? I know it used to be, when people only lived to be 40, but in developed nations ppl are making it well into their 70’s and later…
I’m 24 and nowhere near getting married. Actually, I don’t think I ever want to, but even if I did, there are absolutely no prospects. I still haven’t even been in a real relationship, so assuming I miraculously entered a relationship tomorrow, I still would be well past the age of 25 by the time I got married. Maybe like 40.
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November 26th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Oh definitely not I.
I’m twenty four now and while I’m looking, I am not involved with anyone. I plan to one day get married, it has been a fond dream of mine for a long time now, but I need to meet someone who understands me and can walk beside me first.
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December 1st, 2008 at 11:24 am
I got hitched to my best friend when I was 26. He is a TCK and was 27. I think that’s pretty young for today’s standard. Maybe we leave marriage for last, because figuring out what we want to do in our life takes a lot time and energy. And we do not want anyone to stand in our way.
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December 17th, 2008 at 1:28 am
Well let’s see…damn near all of the MK’s I know were married somewhere close to post HS graduation. Alot of the TCK’s from HS are married, but funny enough not the career minded ones? When I was in my early teens, I made this whole plan where I’d graduate HS, finish college in 4yrs, and immediately have a good job, house, car, wife and kids all started about age 21…yeah, alot of that sure happened *rolls eyes*. I STARTED my first college in 1997, I’ve gone through two cars(on my third family car), two ex fiance’s, and ten years after leaving the house found myself planted into a room of my parents new retirement house they bought due primarily to all that first college debt :-(….but my current GPA’s 3.75 :-p. The first ex was a TCK with trust issues and the second, well I’m not sure that would pass the censors. needless to say she broke all my core rules and I’ve been mostly single for the last 6+ years…taking my time from now on ;-)…..with a hint every year about grand children from the maternal’s in my life.
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