It is interesting. Personally, I wasn't ready and had it been more of a choice, I would have waited and might never have had children. I had my first at 21 (single parent) and my second at 24. I only met my now DP at 23 though, I think I would have liked to have had time as just a couple and think about children closer to 30 (never could have happened though as we have always had my beautiful DD1 and in the end, I'm glad we rustled up a sister for her quick smart lol). I love my girls and there are heaps of benefits to being young, I'm glad it all sort of worked out this way.

I also think in some cases it can be easier for a male to want children because they don't have to go through the physical changes. I don't just mean pregnancy and birth either, my DP is already talking about the next but the thought of extending my breastfeeding another few years (been 3yrs so far and my baby probably has another couple to go so adding another few onto that) is a little terrifying to me! I'd love another baby in theory but the memories of all that entails is a little too fresh still. It can also be easy to say things like they would be happy to be the stay at home parent if it isn't a reality they will ever have to face. I can't say whether any of that is relevant for the couples you mentioned though.

It can be hard when couples don't agree, leaving one party to wait for the other but I also think it pays to make sure both are into it from the get go. Parenting is hard enough without feeling like you're doing it for someone else and not yourself. Children are a big commitment, lifelong and I think people are wise to wait until they have that urge because there is no going back.

Different strokes and all that. Nothing abnormal with having children young, nothing abnormal with waiting. You only get one life, have to live it for yourself and not what anyone else thinks you should or should not be doing. I can't remember having any comments about my age though even being the first of my friends.