The Society say that marrying as a teenager is too young, but have no qualms about encouraging baptism at an even earlier age.
*** w71 9/1 p. 526 par. 8 Fortify Yourself So as to Maintain Integrity ***
Then there are the young teen-agers who think they must “date” and “go steady,” as many children of today do... They are too young to get married, but they want to satisfy the desires that are building up inside them.
*** w75 8/1 p. 461 Youths, Make Your Life Worth Living ***
As a teen-ager, however, you may feel that opportunities to make decisions and to do what you want seem limited... Your parents may try to cultivate in you other interests besides engaging in various forms of recreation. Or, you may be eager to get married, but
they may tell you that you are too young and immature for this.
*** w85 7/15 p. 19 par. 15 ‘Run in Such a Way That You May Attain the Prize’ ***
Failing to recognize that “foolishness is tied up with the heart of” youngsters, some parents have allowed their children to associate closely with worldlings, attend unsavory social affairs, and even date when far too young for marriage.
*** w93 4/1 p. 21 Growing Up With Jehovah’s Organization in South Africa ***
We were romantically attracted to each other, but
we were still teenagers, too young to get married.
*** w99 2/15 p. 5 What Is Needed for a Successful Marriage? ***
“It is very risky to get married too young,” says Nikki, who was 22 when she married. She cautions: “Your feelings, goals, and tastes will continue to change from the time you are in your late teens until you are in your mid-to-late 20’s.”
*** w01 5/15 p. 20 par. 15 Divine Guidance for Selecting a Marriage Mate ***
Eighteen-year-old Blossom thought that she was in love with a young man in her congregation... But her parents asked her to wait one year, feeling that she was still too young. Blossom later wrote: “I am so thankful that I listened to that wise advice. Within the year, I matured some
*** w09 7/1 p. 18 She Acted With Discretion ***
Wise parents carefully teach their children a dignified view of marriage. They neither urge their children to marry for money
nor pressure them to begin dating when still too young to take on adult roles and responsibilities.Sound marital advice that does not extend to what the WT say is MORE important than baptism:
*** w92 10/1 p. 22 ‘Should I Get Baptized?’ ***
Ayumi got baptized when she was ten years old. She wanted to serve Jehovah because she really came to love him. Now she is 13 and just had the experience of seeing her Bible student, who has also come to love Jehovah, get baptized at the age of 12. Ayumi’s younger brother Hikaru was also baptized at the age of ten. “Some said I was too young,” he recalls, “but Jehovah knew how I felt.
