The average age at which a woman first gives birth (25.7) is now earlier than the average age of first marriage (26.5), a phenomenon Knot Yet calls "The Great C

The average age at which a woman first gives birth (25.7) is now earlier than the average age of first marriage (26.5), a phenomenon Knot Yet calls "The Great Crossover" and which brings with it all of the well-documented concerns that surround the rearing of children outside of wedlock. I wonder what these values were historically. I just don't think that those two numbers are ever too terribly far apart. I mean, if a unmarried woman got pregnant in 1950 she would be married probably within the 9 months before the baby was born and the lack of birth control historically could have lead to many pregnancies immediately following marriage. Both of these would push the first child age to be later than first marriage. Although, logically, one would think the advent and superfluousness of birth control would prevent unwed pregnancies and allow married couples to wait on having children (should they desire to wait), driving the first child age way up. But that's not the case - intriguing. I guess in current times people have the means (and typically the lack of social scorn) to wait to get married and don't have to just because of an accidental pregnancy.