I was *on my own* for quite a while before I got married at 30. Even though those were some lonely years for me, it did enhance my independence and confidence in myself. My husband was 40 at the time of our marriage, had been married before and was the father of a teenage daughter.

I would certainly advocate that a woman be self-supporting and live on her own for a while before marriage. I believe it makes it possible for her to be more of her own person in the marriage.