On July 30, 2023, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a renowned lawyer and social activist, sparked a thoughtful discussion with a statement on his Facebook wall. He proposed that young people should consider delaying marriage until they reach a more mature age.
Barker-Vormawor’s post read, “Don’t get married before you are 38. Stretch it to 40 if you can! But if you are smart, never get married. Shalom.” This viewpoint generated mixed reactions from his followers, with some agreeing and others seeking further clarification to form their own opinions.
One of his followers, King Flez, expressed full agreement with the notion of never getting married if one is smart. On the other hand, Aliu Wakilu Gouni felt that Barker-Vormawor was imposing his personal experience on others and humorously wished him luck in finding a lover soon.
Judy Leger shared her positive experience, having gotten married at 23 and celebrating over 10 years of marriage. She believed it was the best decision she and her partner had made. SAEED AFUWA ISSAHAKU questioned the validity of the advice, emphasizing the importance of backing such claims with statistics and real-life experiences.
Nii Akwaa Mensah II light-heartedly suggested supporting Barker-Vormawor, jokingly referring to him as a disappointed brother.
Barker-Vormawor’s viewpoint contradicts societal norms that often encourage young individuals to marry early and start a family to fulfill parental responsibilities before retirement or declining health. He argued that several factors, including failed marriages, the lasting trauma of others’ experiences, the high cost of weddings and dowries, and various challenges, have made marriage seem daunting for many young people.
In summary, Oliver Barker-Vormawor’s statement has sparked an interesting debate on the ideal age for marriage and the various factors that influence such decisions. While some support his perspective, others believe it should be supported by data and real-life experiences to hold more weight.
