Marriage Age for Jehovah’s Witnesses: Tradition and Reality

When considering the age at which members of Jehovah's Witnesses get married, it is important to recognize both the cultural and religious aspects that influence this decision. Across the world, the legal age for marriage varies, but within the community, there are both traditions and individual circumstances that must be respected.

General Practices and Legal Context

Most individuals within Jehovah's Witnesses, like the majority of the population, marry after reaching the legal age of 18, although this can be highly influenced by local laws and cultural norms. The expectation within the community is for individuals to honor and respect the sanctity of marriage, acting responsibly regardless of legal requirements.

Individual Exceptions and Adaptations

There are instances where marriages occur before the legal age, particularly when special circumstances are taken into account. For example, some couples might opt to marry young due to religious or personal reasons. In such situations, they may bypass legal barriers by seeking exemptions or approvals from relevant authorities, such as social services.

A significant example of this is the story of Steven Sevek and his fiancée. They wanted to marry when the fiancée was 17, as they were planning for a trip to Italy. They approached relevant social services for an exemption and were approved, though their elders advised against it due to concerns about setting a bad example. The couple ultimately agreed to wait and married when the fiancée turned 18.

Religious and Social Influences

Within the Jehovah's Witnesses community, there is a strong emphasis on marriage, partly due to their strict sexual attitudes. Young Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged to delay romantic and sexual relationships until marriage, making marriage a central part of their lives. This includes the tradition of adult baptism, which often takes place during mid-teens and marks the transition to full adult responsibilities within the community.

For these young members, waiting until the legal age may be seen as a natural progression towards adulthood. Additionally, due to the absence of traditional markers of adulthood like higher education, many Jehovah's Witnesses may view marriage as a significant step in their life journey.

Challenges for Less-Attractive Members

However, the pressure to marry young can be more pronounced for those who are perceived as 'less attractive' or not as socially active. This can result in these individuals marrying well before the legal age or even at all, if they cannot find a suitable partner. The tendency for women to outnumber men within the community exacerbates this issue, leading to a potential lonely life for women who might not have found a marriage partner.

Legal Implications and Encouragement

While a marriage at a young age is not encouraged, it is not necessarily discouraged if it is legal. The community respects the laws of the land and may allow for marriages that occur below the legal age of consent, provided there is parental approval. This approach aligns with the broader community's acceptance of legal practices, although it is not something that is widely encouraged or promoted within the religious community.

For example, one individual mentioned getting married at 19 and 18, four days after the fiancée turned 18. This marriage has now endured for 57 years, demonstrating that age and legal status are not the only factors in determining a successful and long-lasting marital union.

Conclusion

The age at which a Jehovah's Witness gets married is influenced by a combination of legal, cultural, and religious factors. While the general tendency is to marry after reaching 18, there are instances where younger marriages occur, often due to religious and social expectations. Understanding these dynamics provides a more nuanced view of the religious practices and community guidelines that shape the lives of Jehovah's Witnesses.