Recently, Stranger Things actress Millie Bobbie Brown has faced the ire of critics, not for the typical behavior that can land a celebrity in trouble, such as drunken behavior or an unpopular political view. Rather, she got married and adopted a child. According to critics, this was irresponsible behavior for someone so young.
Today, marriage and family have been re-imagined as capstone achievements to be enjoyed—if at all—after success, rather than cornerstones on which to build a life with another. Rather than marrying young and having a bunch of kids, people often talk about doing some “living” before they settle down, as if having a spouse and kids is the end of freedom and happiness. Postponing or even foregoing marriage is the path to “the good life.”