In today’s world, many women are beginning to dread the word marriage. The reasons vary—ranging from the fear of being tied down too soon to stories of unhealthy relationships splashed across media headlines. The question arises: Is there an ideal age for a woman to get married?
We sat down with seven women from different backgrounds to hear their thoughts on the perfect age to walk down the aisle. Here’s what they had to say:
“There’s a lot I want to achieve before getting married.”
– Susan, 23
“I have to be at least 26 before I even consider marriage. I’m not ready to get on the marriage train before clocking that age. Firstly, I want to be mature enough to handle the complexities that come with marriage. Also, there’s so much I want to achieve—career goals, travel, and personal growth. Based on my calculation, 26 feels like the right time.”
“I really want to be married around 25-27 years old.”
– Elizabeth, 20
“This marriage thing can be quite an emotional rollercoaster. Honestly, I don’t care about the age as much as being ready. But still, age can play a role. I have some friends who got married at 21 or 22, and I wish them well. For me, I’m hoping to be married around 25 to 27. Anything beyond that feels like it might be cutting it close.”
“Everybody’s timeline is different.”
– Precious, 24
“I think marriage is more about your level of maturity than your age. Getting married early or later in life doesn’t guarantee success. What’s considered early for one person might be late for another. Everybody’s timeline is different, and there’s no universal age for marriage. Personally, I hope to be married before I turn 26, but I won’t rush it.”
“I’m looking at getting married before 24.”
– Kevwe, 21
“My mother got married at 20, and she had one of the happiest marriages I’ve ever seen. By 30, she was done with childbearing, and now at 50, she’s a grandmother traveling the world. My elder sister followed the same path and got married at 23. I’m the last born, and I plan to get married before 24. To me, there’s no need to wait longer when you’ve found the right person.”
“Getting married early is not for me—at all.”
– Ginika, 26
“There’s no ‘right’ age to get married, but I know what works for me. Getting married early is not part of my plan. I’d prefer to marry in my early 30s. I want to spend my 20s building my career, earning a Master’s degree abroad, and achieving financial independence. If marriage happens earlier, the man has to be a good match emotionally and financially. Otherwise, it can wait.”
“I’m 22 and extremely open to marriage.”
– Bisi, 22
“Trust me, I don’t see why people get hung up on age. As long as a woman is mature and above 18, it’s fine to get married. It’s better to marry the right person when they come along than to wait endlessly and make the wrong choice later. I’m 22 and very open to marriage if the timing feels right.”
“A person isn’t fully mature until they turn 25.”
– Amaka, 25
“Science says the brain isn’t fully mature until around age 25, which makes that the perfect minimum age for me. Personally, my goal is to get married before 30. I’m not in a rush, but I want to make sure I’m prepared for the responsibilities that come with marriage.”
So, Is There a Right Age?
Clearly, there’s no universal answer. While some women prefer to marry young, others want to take their time and focus on personal growth before settling down. Ultimately, the right age is the one where a woman feels emotionally, mentally, and financially ready to embrace the journey of marriage.
And if there’s one takeaway from all these stories, it’s this: every timeline is valid.
