Engaged and Underage - another breakthrough show from MTV

Once again, the brilliant minds at MTV have given us absolutely nothing. When I first heard the name of this show, I thought they were going to be showing us UNDERAGE couples who have decided to become ENGAGED. I was thinking 14-16 years old. That is what comes to mind when I hear UNDERAGE. However I heard the name of the show and saw the commercials and thought to myself "Those couples don't look underage. I need to check this out." Sure enough, the research department at MTV apparently didn't do their job OR they already had the name picked out and had to come up with anything to put on the air.

I watched 2 episodes yesterday and neither couple were underage. I don't know how old the first couple were, but they were high school graduates, living in their own house, and working. So they would have to be at least 18. I was under the impression that in this country of ours, a person is considered an adult at the age of 18. I mean, one can vote, one can be drafted or enlist into the military, so you would think that one would be old enough to get married at 18. You can't drink alcohol, but I didn't realize that was a requirement to get married. According to MTV however, that is underage.

The second episode I watched, the bride and groom-to-be were already 21. But I guess MTV considers that to be UNDERAGE as well since they were on this program.

I don't get it. At what age does MTV deem it is appropriate for one to marry? 25? 30? 40? Are they trying to tell young people that getting married young is foolish? As one who was married at the age of 20, I find this a little offensive. I've been married 10 years now. Was it foolish? Sure - love will make people do foolish things. Yes, we've had our share of problems, but what marriage doesn't? Would we have had the same problems if we had been older? Maybe not - but there would have been different ones to struggle through.

I can see where MTV is going with this. Perhaps they are trying to get their viewers to think a little before jumping into something that is supposed to be forever. In a country with sky high divorce rates, that isn't such a bad idea. But having a show that gives the perception that marrying young is foolish is the wrong way to do it. What I love is that they start filming a month or so before the wedding and show the negative things. HELLO?! Has anyone on this production staff tried to plan a wedding? They are stressful! Of course these couples are going to snip at each other or fight about something stupid. They are totally stressed out! Especially if the bride's mother is as crazy as mine was! It doesn't matter how old the couple is. They could be 90 years old and still find something to fight about a day before the wedding.

It doesn't matter how old you are when you get married (as long as it is legal in your state - and nothing creepy) every marriage is going to have problems. If a person is 18 and knows deep down that they are ready for that step, I say go for it. Unless MTV can give us an appropriate age for marrying, I think they need another name for this show. Or just take it off the air altogether.

Married while underage --
Rogue Scholar