A friend recently messaged me an article talking about David Wise, olympic gold medalist in the freestyle skiing halfpipe. In the article, a news agency declared that David lives an “alternative” lifestyle. What out of the ordinary life-choices are they referring to? Simply the fact that, at age 23 he’s happily married and has a 2 year old daughter. (See what it takes to be an Olympic athlete here)
For fun, I looked up alternative lifestyle and found this definition on wikipedia:
“An alternative lifestyle is a lifestyle diverse in respect to mainstream ones, or generally perceived to be outside the cultural norm.”
Interesting. I knew being married young is not as popular now as it once was, but I never viewed myself as living an alternative lifestyle. I’m also 23, been happily married for 5 years and my husband and I have two young kiddos. We have purchased our first car together and are planning to purchase our first home later this year. What weirdos.
I’m certainly not saying that every one should marry young. Different choices are better for different people. I can only share that, I’m really glad we did. Neither of us went to college, we’ve each hopped around a couple of jobs before settling into what we plan to be our life-long careers. It’s different, figuring things out together, instead of separately deciding everything and then joining together after we had figured ourselves out. It’s also fun, and great to learn from each other. To balance each other out and help each other grow.
I don’t know much about David Wise’s story, but from the articles I’ve read it looks like he and his wife are rocking this alternative lifestyle too.
Do you live an “alternative” lifestyle? Were you as surprised as I was to learn that that’s what it’s called these days to marry young, have children and be happy?
Trine @ Creative Pink Butterfly says
Really? Thats what an alternative lifestyle is? Surprised – YES! When I saw the title marrying and having kids at a young age didnt even cross my mind..
Im currious to what they think normal is…..
Kay (A Ranch Mom) says
Oh yes – the culture we now live would classify me as alternative as well. :) Was married at 19 and had my third baby when i was 23. I wouldn’t change it! Could I have gotten a degree and ‘pursued a dream’ before marriage? Yes. But then i would have missed out on the most amazing thing to ever happen to me – the giving of my young years to building my marriage and home. I think what bugs me the most about this mindset is the way a ‘traditional’ home/family life is considered less fulfilling, less of an accomplishment than pursuing a career would be.
Stephanie says
I feel very “old fashioned” and have received flack for it because A) I wouldn’t have a kid out of wedlock because it feels wrong for me, and B) won’t live together before marriage. I’m getting married in June to a guy I’ve never lived with, and who will have been overseas for three years by the time we do live together. And I’m atheist so that really puts me on the fringe!
Rachelle says
I’m not living that “alternative lifestyle” in the sense that I went to university first and dated my now husband for 6 years before getting married when I was 27 and he was 30. But the fact that I choose to stay at home to be a homemaker and mom to a two year old with one on the way (meaning not much cleaning is getting done these days… ;) ) and gave up my “career” had some people raising their eyebrows. I feel I can be a much better wife and mom here at home than if I’m trying to juggle a full time job in there too. My role now is to be a help meet to my wonderful husband and the best mom I can be to our kids. I’m not knocking working moms, if anything I really admire them for all they do! And I get that for some people, it’s not a choice due to finances. But for us, this is wonderful. :) But yes, I think a few people think we’re nuts to want to do things this way. :)
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
I got married at 22 and even back then (I’ve been married 22 years) it was considered bizarre to get married that young. But alternative? Seems a little strange to me.