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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at York U chapter.

I got married when I was 18. Yes, yes. I know what you’re thinking…something along the lines “she probably got knocked up”, “ran away from home”, “stinkin’ oppressed muslim and her lunatic parents” NO. STOP.

Yes, I got married when I was 18. No, I didn’t get pregnant, no I didn’t run away from home and although my parents were actually kind of weirded out about the whole thing but super supportive and loving! I got married at 18 because I knew I found the person I wanted to be with for the rest of my life.

I don’t believe I’m too young to decide this at all. In fact, in a world where making decisions like “what courses should I (a barely 16 year old human) choose which will dictate the way the rest of my life pans out?” are expected, I think at 18, when I can also legally vote, drink, be able to watch extremely disturbing sects of pornography, I should also be given credit to wanting to settle down. It isn’t as if I’ve sacrificed anything for it either: I’m still in school, he works full-time, we have our own place and our own car. We are content with the way our life is. Why is everyone else so intent upon ruining it?

There is a huge stigma associated with couples like myself and my spouse. That we are backward-minded or freakish or naive. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. We knew fully what we were getting ourselves into and we were ready to take that plunge. Weirdly, the most significant amount of disdain I received was from many female acquaintances of mine! They were shocked that I had “betrayed” them, and told me that “this isn’t what feminism is about you know”. I was and am still completely dumbfounded by such a statement.

So, being married means I cannot be a feminist? Since when? Why? These are the types of questions I want to know and want to clear. Feminism is not about bashing relationships, bashing men and bashing people’s way of life. Feminism is about sticking up for and supporting our sisters, regardless of their background, their choices and so on. As women we already have so much pitting against us, what will we come to if the biggest enemy towards us is ourselves?

Image Source(s) – 1: http://scottcountyclerk.com/marriage-license/

Image Source(s) – 2: http://parade.com/391231/lindsaylowe/100-inspiring-quotes-on-love-and-marriage/

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A third year Professional Writing student with a deep love for snacking, baking, cute animals and coffee flavoured gelato! Join me on my literary adventures through and around Toronto (and hopefully, the rest of the world).
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Hey! I'm Stephanie Wilcox, and I am a professional writing major here at York U! I spend most of my time playing piano or ukulele and crying over books and boybands. I'm currently studying Korean as an elective, and I hope to do plenty of travelling after I graduate. I believe in fighting for a better, safer, and more equal future, especially through words and writing. This is my third year at York University, and I am thrilled to begin writing with Her Campus this year as a CC and seeing the impact we will be making here!