That's really funny and I totally relate to that but opposite. I'm American but I live in Ireland. I got married at 25 to an Irish guy and baby at 27. Most people acted like I was a child bride and a lot of people asked if the baby was an accident (he wasn't). My husband's friends are mostly in super long term relationships but not even discussing marriage yet. Their relationships are just as serious as my own and I'd say they'll get married eventually but it seems like people here tend to wait longer. Nothing wrong with that. I'm sure if we Americans did the same then the divorce rates wouldn't be so high as someone else mentioned. The housing situation here also doesn't help - makes it harder for people to marry and have kids young. But yes I'd say in a group of 27 year old lads here, it's safe the say that the vast majority of them would not have kids yet. I read that only 17 percent of new dads are in their 20s here.
I think people from around the world have this perception of Ireland from back in the day when everyone was super Catholic and had loads of children starting very young. That wasn't that long ago and it's a very stark contrast to the way things are now.
Very well said

I always found in Ireland we are encouraged to live out our 20’s travelling, going to college, finding a job or career and enjoying yourself, there isn’t much pressure for people in their 20’s to settle down and get married or have a family, I spent my 20’s working and experiencing life, as did my siblings, friends, co-workers
Not to say everyone does these things in their 20’s but it’s very common
I had a coworker have a baby at 28 and always refers to herself as “only a child herself having a baby” because none of her friends had babies at this age, she was the only one
Now when you hit 30 is when people can feel the pressure to get married and start a family but it’s quite an archaic view to have in my opinion and stems from our ridiculously strict Catholic upbringing, women especially compete with their friends on who is engaged, married, having the first baby blah blah blah
I feel it’s getting better now and people are more accepting of not having children till late in your 30’s or choosing not to have them at all but there are still people who either get pressurised from their families or their friend group
And 100% the recession and housing crisis has had a massive impact on people starting families, often people have to choose between starting a family or owning your own home which is a very sad truth
The fact paddy is in his 20’s having a baby is a bit strange but not uncommon, the reality is that a lot of people who have a child with someone in their 20’s (in my experience in Ireland not speaking for everyone) might not be with that person in their 30’s...things change and people grow up, not saying this will happen with these 2, I have 5 male friends and 2 female friends, all had a kid with a someone in their 20’s as they were in a relationship and thought it’s what they wanted, then they grew up, wanted different things, left that relationship and are in long term relationships now in the 30’s or married to someone else , they are still in their kids life obviously but it’s the norm I find
Sorry longest post EVER!