What if there is only an illusion of choice? The article nicely argues about the advantages and drawbacks of a lifestyle centered around collecting experiences. And that way, experience is presented as the alternative to getting married early. But as one of the examples in the article so eloquently points out, marriage might not be among the options offered to you. If your character is too annoying, you'll be shown the door (called One Man's Thrash in the article). If the guys that you would marry don't want to marry you, then "collecting experiences" is your only choice. Which would turn the question into: do you regret having a bad character when you were young?

Way to only assume a happy path scenario.

My last partner was in the process of a second divorce. One of my family members has been through 3 divorces. Unpaid child support abound, which he'll never pay.

Honestly I'm just happy to have a place to live, and a great career. First girlfriend dumped me right after I got fired.

I do wonder, hypothetically she met me a few months later when I was doing much better. We marry. We attend church. Our kids are bilingual in Korean and English with hints of a South Central dialect.

But that's just a fantasy. Just as easily we could be divorced, no kids and I'm just paying alimony.

I guess if VR gets advanced enough in time I can plug into an ultra realistic version of the Sims...

Too bad those experience-seekers never read Burmese Days:

"Beauty unshared is diminished"

"Experiences" evaporate without being able to revive them with someone who experienced them with you. In my experience, at least

As an older partner, yes, of course. Yet I am glad to have found the person I love and am building a family together. I wished I had kids earlier...

I don't believe in the institution of marriage so no. I don't need some religious arrangement to justify my love.

From a modern society's point of view, marriage is not a religious arrangement. It is the recognization of a contract entered into by 2 parties which will dictate myriad events in the future, especially regarding disputes.

I met my (eventual) wife at 19 years old. We've been married since 2007 and the only regret I have is that we didn't get together earlier.

We've been great influences on each other and if we had gotten together earlier, we'd be even further than we are now.

I might ponder the option to never get married.

I would rather marry when I want to (young or not).

I (male) married in my early twenties and just celebrated by twentieth anniversary. Wouldn’t trade it for a thing.

I suppose I might have had more “adventures” if I’d waited but honestly every time I hear a dating story from someone I know who is single I feel very lucky. When I look at the dating scene today it feels like I caught the last flight out of a war zone. Seems like it’s very easy to hook up but way harder to really connect.

Advice: no matter your age if you find someone you really love who has compatible values and goals, go for it. Obviously give it careful thought first but don’t pass it up thinking you’re going to miss out on (insert imaginary partner). If you are with someone and going through a rough time, work on it and don’t give up easy.

Yes

I know this is directed at women, but had I (a male) not married and had kids, I wouldn't have shit at this point in my life, including motivation. I'd guess I'd have slept with a couple more women, but everything else seems kinda meaningless. Friends turn into acquaintances, hobbies and travel are neat but ephemeral. Different strokes I suppose.