C. Luxuries D. The Industrial Revolution

4

Since World War II. there has been a clearly discernible trend, especially among the growing group of college students, toward early marriage. Many youths begin dating in the first stages of adolescence, "go steady" though high school, and marry before their formal education has been completed. In some quarters, there is much shaking of graying hair and clucking of middle-aged people over the ways of "wild youth." However, emotional maturity is no respecter of birthdays: it does not arrive automatically at twenty-one or twenty-five. Some achieve it surprisingly early. while others never do, even in three-score years and ten.

Many students are marrying as an escape, not only from an unsatisfying home life. but also from their own personal problems of isolation and loneliness. And it can almost be put down as true that any marriage entered into as an escape cannot prove entirely successful. The sad fact is that marriage seldom solves one's problems: more often, it accentuates them. Furthermore, it is doubtful whether the home as an institution is capable of carrying all that the young are seeking to put into it: one might say in theological terms, that they are giving up one idol only to worship another. Young people correctly understand that their parents are wrong in believing that "success" is the ultimate good. but they erroneously believe that they themselves have found the true center of life's meaning. Their expectations of marriage are essentially Utopian and therefore incapable of fulfillment. They want too much, and tragic disillusionment is often bound to follow

Shall we, then, join the chorus of "Misereres" over early marriages? One cannot generalize: all early marriages are not bad any more than all later ones are good. Satisfactory marriages are determined not by chronology, but by the emotional maturity of the partners. Therefore, each case must be judged on its own merits. If the early marriage is not an escape, if it is entered into with relatively few illusions or false expectations, and if it is economically feasible, why not? Good marriages can be made from sixteen to sixty, and so can bad ones.

51. According to the article the trend toward early marriages ____________.

A. cannot be easily determined

B. is one that can be clearly seen

C. is an outgrowth of the moral laxity brought abut by World War II

D. occurs after every major war

52. According to the article, successful marriages are determined by the emotional maturity of the partners and not by ____________.

A. financial considerations B. parental consent

C. educational background D. chronological age

53. The author suggests that many of today's early marriages are a result of____________.

A. escapism B. theological dictum C'. lack of formal education D. convenience

54. The author states that the home as an institution is _____________.

A. unworthy of worship B. overrated

C. probably not capable of being what many young people expect it to be