Are College Student's Marriages at higher Risks for Divorces?

More students are finding themselves married before college graduation, according to Dr. Paredes, a North Carolina A&T State University campus counselor.

People tend to marry people with similar levels of education. A large number of people who have college degrees met or married their spouses while in college.

"I married my wife our freshman year and we have been married for two years," says Derrick Browner, a 22 year old senior at A&T.

A common perception is that most college marriages will end in divorce.

So what is too young to be married?

"I do not know if it's an age limit of being married" it is "more personal development than age based," says Paredes.

Most people get married for cultural values, religious reasons and to form a family unit legitimately.

Does young, college, marriages face more challenges than married couples over the age of 25.

"The challenge I face is us growing together," says 20 year old Shantay Browner, an A&T junior. "With classes and all the extra curricular activities, sometimes I forget to set aside time for my relationship."

"Many students go through the process of what they want for themselves and for their partners," said Paredes.

Young marriages have been found to be from two to three times more likely to end in divorce compared to marriages at older ages.

There are many programs throughout the state of North Carolina to help build and maintain strong marriages and families.

Although the overall divorce rate in America remains close to 50 percent of all marriages, it has been gradually dropping.

According to the National Marriage Project, both women and men who are college educated are less likely to divorce, than people with lower levels of education.

"Do I think we'll make it, of course," says Derrick. "We will overcome any obstacle to make this thing work."

"I have met many other married couples while here at A&T and I will tell you one thing, Derrick and I will be one of the couples to have a successful marriage, while in college," said Shantay.

Contact Information:
Dr. Peredes
North Carolina A&T State University
Counseling Services
108 Murphy Hall
Greensboro, North Carolina 27411
(336) 334-7727