London — Actress and activist Emma Watson is taking aim at societal expectations around marriage, calling the pressure on young people to wed by a certain age “a violence” and “a cruelty.”
In a candid conversation on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, the 35-year-old Harry Potter star opened up about her own experiences with relationship timelines and how societal norms often force people, particularly women, into major life decisions before they truly know themselves.
“I’m just so happy not to be divorced yet,” Watson remarked, noting that had she married in her twenties, “it would have been carnage.”
She explained that, during her younger years, she lacked clarity about her purpose, values, and identity. Rushing into marriage at that stage, she said, would have been disastrous.
Watson described the idea of tying a person’s worth to whether they are married as deeply harmful. She labeled the widespread “deadline mentality” , the notion that one must be married or have children by a certain age, as “the least romantic thing I can possibly think of.”
The actress also critiqued popular portrayals of love in film and media, including Disney fairy tales and Hollywood romances, for presenting an unrealistic view of relationships. She stressed that true partnership requires emotional safety, healthy conflict resolution, and self-understanding elements often missing from the way love is portrayed on screen.
Her comments come as social trends increasingly support her view. Census data shows that the median age for first marriage in the United States has risen to 30.2 for men and 28.6 for women, reflecting a generational shift in priorities. Millennials and Gen Z are more likely to delay traditional milestones such as marriage, children, and home ownership, citing personal growth and financial stability as higher priorities.
Watson admitted that in her twenties she felt anxious about meeting these societal expectations, but now advocates for allowing young people to find their path without external pressure.
Her remarks have sparked widespread conversation online, resonating with those who feel overwhelmed by cultural deadlines. Many see her stance as empowering, encouraging individuals to define success and happiness on their own terms.
For Watson, the message is clear: marriage should be a personal choice, not a social requirement.
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