Are Churches Undermining the Abstinence Message?

Regnerus points out several reasons for this. "In societies like ours that exhibit lengthy economic prosperity, men and women alike begin to lose motivation to marry and have children, and thus avoid one or both," he explains. However, "the institution of marriage remains a foundational good for individuals and communities. It is by far the optimal context for child-rearing." Economically speaking, he says, married people are wealthier, share many expenses like housing, food, and electricity and are less likely to become dependent on the government and indigent.

We aren't advocating teenagers marry but there are certain advantages to early marriage. Studies showing a correlation between early marriage and divorce occur mostly amongst those under age 20. For one thing, medical research reveals that the safest and prime childbearing years for both baby and mother is when the mother is in her twenties. After this, problems progressively increase for both as the mother reaches her late thirties and forties, along with expensive fertility procedures. Again, studies show that having a first child before age 30 decreases a woman's odds of breast cancer. Plus, a couple has much more energy in their twenties to raise babies and small children than when they later reach their forties and fifties.

Part of the problem is the delay of adulthood permeating our society. Getting married encourages responsibility and maturity. "Unfortunately, a key developmental institution for men -- marriage -- is the very thing being postponed, thus perpetuating their adolescence," says Regnerus.

Many friends and family are unwittingly giving bad advice to young people when encouraging them to postpone marriage. It simply makes it much more difficult for young people hoping to abstain from sex in their prime years of sexual interest and fertility if they now have the added pressure to marry in their late twenties and beyond. With fewer than half of all American households comprised of married couples, an added burden is placed on society and shifted off to mushrooming government programs.

If young adults in their early twenties find their "special" someone, the natural and logical step is marriage.