AIBU to wonder why more Baby Boomer marriages haven't failed?

[ComposHat]

I was talking to my dad about divorce and they commented about the high rate of divorce amongst his age group.

I am actually surprised that it isn't higher given the 'typical' marriage pattern of baby-boomers. Very early marriages (my parents were engaged at 17 and married at 21 without having serious relationships with other people.)

They'd had no experience of living together or even being an independent adult - both moved straight from their parents homes to their marital home. Several of their friends 'had' to get married as the bride was pregnant (yet a surprising number of these marriages have lasted too)

Late teens seems absurdly young to pick your life partner, I couldn't pick a pair of socks to wear at that age. It seems that the 'typical' baby-boomer marriage was a bit of pot luck and keeping your fingers crossed for the best.

AIBU to be surprised that so many marriages made in these circumstances have turned out to be successful (or at the very least endured!)

I think the average age on first marriage for that age group was 22 or 23 and it's gradually gone up to 29/30 now, so not teenagers though perhaps someone marrying at 22 met their future spouse as a teenager.

I was born in 1962. I think my experience and attitudes are probably very different from a person born in the 1940s. I and most of my friends of that generation cohabited then married then had children in their 20s- 30s. I got divorced in my 40s. I think the people who believe in staying married at all cost are an older generation.