What keeps young people in marriage?

VHO - Faced with the reality of many marriages breaking down after only a few years of living together, many young people are becoming hesitant about getting married. Nevertheless, there are still couples who choose to enter married life early, accepting the initial challenges and growing together.

In that journey, happiness doesn't lie in perfection, but is nurtured through listening, compromise, and sharing – seemingly simple things that become the "key" to maintaining a lasting home.

For the couple, Meritorious Artist Thu Huong and Meritorious Artist Thanh Tuan, mutual understanding and support are the foundation that helps them maintain their family happiness.

Family happiness begins with small things.

According to data released by the General Statistics Office at the beginning of 2025, approximately 2.2 million people nationwide were divorced or separated; the divorce rate accounted for about 2.6% of the population and continued to increase compared to previous periods. Many family studies also show that divorce is becoming increasingly common among younger people, concentrated in the 18-30 age group, and largely occurs after only a few years of marriage.

However, alongside these quick breakups, there are still young people who choose to marry early and patiently learn how to maintain a happy home through companionship and understanding. Getting married at 23, Dinh Tran Huong Nguyen (Ho Chi Minh City) received many whispers that she "married too early." But for this young woman, it wasn't an impulsive decision, but the result of a journey of over four years of dating and nearly five years of working together – long enough for them to understand each other before tying the knot.

What reassured Huong Nguyen about entering marriage also came from the strong bond between the two families. Not only were the parents on both sides close, but relatives on both sides also treated each other like family. She shared: “My husband is 7 years older than me, has a stable job, and is mature in his thinking. Both of us are currently continuing our education and often talk about work, culture, and society during our daily meals. For me, shared thinking is a crucial factor in a lasting marriage.”

However, Huong Nguyen admits that conflicts are inevitable in young people's marriages, especially in the early stages after getting married. Work pressure and expectations for themselves and their partners have caused both of them to experience stress.

Similarly, Tran Huong Mi ( Hanoi ) chose to get married while still a final-year university student. At the age of 22, while many of her friends were still focused on their studies and careers, she began her life as a young wife. After three years of marriage, her small family welcomed a two-year-old daughter. Looking back, Huong Mi believes that the important thing is not whether one marries early or late, but whether both partners are mature enough in thought and emotion to share responsibility for their life together.

According to Huong Mi, keeping the flame of love alive in marriage starts with daily communication. It's not just about frank conversations about desires or life pressures; sometimes, bonding comes from small details that don't need to be spoken aloud. "There are days when we're both tired, but just the fact that my husband remembers to buy my favorite food, or that I prepare dinner waiting for him to come home late, is enough to make me feel cared for. The feeling of always having someone to think about, to wait for, and to share the little things in life with is what makes a family special," she shared.

Helping each other navigate marital pressures.

At the Vietnam Circus Federation, the couple, Meritorious Artist Thu Huong (33 years old) and Meritorious Artist Thanh Tuan (36 years old), got married when both were at the peak of their careers. As one of the youngest couples to be awarded the title of Meritorious Artist, their family life is also intertwined with the unique pressures of the circus profession: a packed training and performance schedule and the ever-present risks.

Looking back on their journey together, Meritorious Artist Thu Huong believes that understanding and sharing are the most important factors in maintaining happiness. One of the most memorable periods for her and her husband was the two years they spent working in Japan, when their daughter was almost two years old. In a foreign land, adapting to a new life while maintaining a continuous performance schedule meant they often had almost no time for themselves. There were days when both of them performed on stage, and their daughter had to be looked after by colleagues backstage. "Without enough love and understanding, it would have been very difficult to overcome that period," the female artist shared.

After returning to Vietnam to work at the Federation, the workload didn't lessen at all. However, according to Meritorious Artist Thu Huong, what helps her family maintain their closeness is that they both know how to share with each other, even in the smallest things. "When I'm busy practicing or performing, my husband will proactively cook, clean, and take care of the children; and conversely, I'm always ready to support my husband in both work and daily life," she said.

According to the artist, young people today enter marriage under a lot of pressure, from work and finances to personal expectations, especially since everyone wants to advance their careers and pursue their own dreams. Therefore, to maintain a happy home, the important thing is not about grand gestures but about daily care and companionship. Young couples need to learn to listen, share emotions, and share family responsibilities instead of keeping all the pressure bottled up inside. When both partners are considerate of each other, willing to compromise, and put themselves in the other's shoes, married life will be much easier.

From an expert's perspective, Ms. Bui Thi Hai Yen, Founder and Director of the NHC Vietnam Psychology and Human Development System, believes that instead of waiting for the perfect state before marriage, young people should view marriage as a journey of mutual growth. To build a sustainable foundation, couples need to prepare realistically, starting with a clear financial plan that aligns with both partners' incomes and life goals to avoid economic pressure after moving in together.

Furthermore, communication skills within the family are considered a key factor in helping young couples understand each other better, minimizing misunderstandings and unnecessary conflicts. Learning to listen, share feelings, and openly express personal needs will help maintain a long-lasting connection. At the same time, young people also need to practice controlling their emotions and avoid impulsive reactions when disagreements arise.

According to psychologists, marriage only becomes a burden when expectations exceed current capabilities. If young people know how to adjust expectations, listen to each other, and work together to overcome difficulties, they can absolutely build a positive and lasting marriage.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/gia-dinh/dieu-gi-giu-nguoi-tre-o-lai-voi-hon-nhan-232497.html