- Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin) said she "lived enough life" before marrying Justin Bieber at 21.
- Therapists say someone having many life experiences doesn't necessarily prepare them for young marriage.
- People considering young marriage should ask their partners about core values before tying the knot.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
Hailey Bieber's (née Baldwin) whirlwind marriage to singer Justin Bieber shocked the world in 2018, in part because of how "insanely young" the two were, she told Elle in a recent cover story.
The model and influencer, now 24, told the publication though she was only 21 when she said her I do's, she had "lived enough life" to know it was the right decision for her.
Marriage in your early 20s was the norm less than 50 years ago, but the rise of women in the workplace and the decline of rigid family gender roles has caused many people to marry later in life.
While there is no ideal age to be married, psychotherapist Victoria Goldenberg told Insider young marriages are at some emotional disadvantages compared to those who marry in their late 20s and early 30s depending on their cultural background.
People raised in certain cultures may be more prepared for marriage in their early 20s
Some cultures prepare people for marriage in their late teens and early 20s, making it a goal to work towards similar to graduating from college.
According to Goldenberg, people following cultural tradition to marry early are more prepared for the weight of marriage and have a better infrastructure of family support to help their relationship succeed.
"Our preparation, our emotional readiness for marriage affects your mental health," Goldenberg said. "Early marriage is really great for a lot of people, especially those who come from certain cultures in which they're trained to be married early."
However, when people marry young quickly out of love or to leave home, this can leave many crucial questions about your partner unanswered until after the ceremony. Couples should discuss issues like religious values, moral beliefs, and living styles before making a forever commitment.
"Do you want children?" "Where do you want to live?" and "Where do you see yourself in 20 years?" can all be deal-breaking questions left unresolved if a wedding is rushed.
Your brain and life haven't fully developed before the age of 25
In addition to not giving the relationship enough time to establish itself, marrying young can mean making a lifelong vow before your brain is fully developed.
While having many life experiences at a young age may mature some people, it doesn't necessarily mean someone who has "lived enough life" is ready for marriage.
"You definitely want your brain to be developed because that's not the only thing that's developing," Goldenberg told Insider. "You're also developing your career, your education, you're financially setting yourself up for a good future."
If you prioritize getting married over finishing your education or developing a career, it could create an unhealthy relationship that's very difficult to leave further down the line.
You can have a toxic marriage at any age, but you should always go into a partnership prepared
While there are added challenges to marrying young, it's important to remember toxicity can exist within a relationship at any age.
Goldenberg said it's crucial to ask questions about your core values before jumping into the next phase of the relationship. Ultimately, young marriage can be difficult if you don't prepare for it, like any marriage.
"People should be married and should be happy if that's what makes them happy," Goldenberg said. "If you're prepared, if you're secure enough, fine. But for 20-year-olds in America, I would say as a general rule is no. You should be with a partner who brings happiness into your life. Your partner shouldn't be your only source of happiness but be an aspect that adds to it."