The Unknown Pressure to “Settle Down” in Your Early Twenties

In today’s modern society, it is perfectly acceptable for any man or woman, of any age, to want to live completely independently from a relationship and indeed many responsibilities. However, the pressure on some twenty year old individuals in Ireland to purchase a home and/ or form a long-term relationship, is rarely explored or discussed.

Many of today’s youth find themselves under enormous pressure to find and maintain a long-term relationship while also pursuing a career and ownership of a home of some sort. This pressure is often first created by the parents of the young person. 

Years ago, it was common place for the female youth of Ireland to wed in their late teenage years or early twenties and give birth to at least one child before their thirties. This notion has long been replaced by revolutionary thoughts and ideas that young people don’t have to form a family so young in their lives.

While society may have changed its opinions on this issue, parents and relatives of young people in Ireland still expect the youth of today to form relationships, purchase homes and create families before their thirties.

This pressure may then create unhappy relationships and marriages, thus causing more divorces and break-ups amongst the youth of today.

Ideals may have changed throughout media and politically correct publishing’s and broadcasts, but the hopes and expectations of parents of twenty year old people has not. This does not take place in every home in Ireland, but the point is that it still occurs, and should not. More awareness must be made of this ridiculous expectation placed upon many young people who are still trying to figure out who they are what path they should take in their lives.

This problem in society will not only cause more divorce and separations, but it may also psychologically effect Ireland’s youth, which may even increase depression and suicide rates.