https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X16686135 Journal of Family Issues 1–23 © The Author(s) 2017 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0192513X16686135 journals.sagepub.com/home/jfi Article Is There the “Sweet Spot” for Age at Marriage and Positive Marital Outcomes? Suzanne Bartle-Haring 1 , Samuel Shannon 1 , Eugene Holowacz 1 , Rikki Patton 2 , and Felisha Lotspeich-Younkin 3 Abstract Using three nationally representative data sets, researchers analyzed the trends in age at marriage, marital stability, and marital satisfaction across the 20th century. Although there is a well-established link between age at marriage and marital stability, less is understood about the link between age at marriage and marital satisfaction. Previous work in this area suggested that it is the absolute age at first marriage that makes a difference. This study examined this hypothesis as well as a second hypothesis that cultural expectations about the “right” age to marry make a difference. Neither hypothesis was completely supported. Trends in normed marital satisfaction scores varied by birth cohort, years married, and age at marriage in nonlinear ways. Implications for relationship educators and practitioners are discussed. Keywords age at marriage, marital satisfaction, marital stability 1 The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA 2 University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA 3 Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH, USA Corresponding Author: Suzanne Bartle-Haring, Department of Human Sciences, HDFS Program, The Ohio State University, 151B Campbell Hall, 1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Email: haring.19@osu.edu 686135JFI XX X 10.1177/0192513X16686135Journal of Family IssuesBartle-Haring et al. research-article 2017