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Entry: Freedom from shame? Link: http://www.takimag.com/blogs/article/freedom_from_shame#32630 Post contents: Maria, For whatever it's worth, from 1566-1837 the average age of marriage in England was about 26-27 years old and the same was basically true for colonial America. Importantly, the women in those marriages, while a bit younger on average than the men, were, on average, well into their 20's. I suspect this pattern was true for much of Europe. Even during the early middle ages folks tended to put marriage off until well into their 20’s. Presumably, people during those times were less tolerant about sexual activity outside of marriage, yet, they still tended to put marriage off until adulthood. Finally, what’s immoral is not a 15 year old getting pregnant but rather a 15 year old getting pregnant outside of marriage. Sent at: 2008 12 01