I'm with David too. Give in on this, and there will be something else.

Basically, I'm with David. This particular roadblock that just came up out of the blue sounds all reasonable, but I doubt the next one will be. And there will be a next one.

Oh, absolutely. But I think waiting for the reasons I mentioned is a reasonable, adult and sensible thing to do. I wouldn't be surprised if that is at the root of PC's parents' demand, but they can't possibly have a discussion that isn't based on "I'm in charge and have all the power."

I wouldn't be surprised if that is at the root of PC's parents' demand

Well, yeah, I think that's generally why it's simply Not Done in Indian culture, which places a high value on education. As I said, we know a guy who's waiting three years to actually get married.

It's just the latest excuse, though. Apparently they were also saying that he couldn't get married until I do (which, ha, like that's ever going to happen).

It's a tough choice, honestly. Both your argument and David's argument have merit.

I think I'm with GC. Barring a good reason to get married now, I'd say wait until next May. But that's because I'm a believer in education and wouldn't want a marriage to get in the way of a degree.

On the other hand, I wouldn't be inclined to give much weight to the opinion of parents who've treated a future in-law the way P-C's parents have.

I've never had a wedding--what is the likelihood of sensible level-headed people (forgive me PC, I judge him entirely by what you've said in this thread, so I don't know if he has rage spasms and drug binges all the rest of the time) being derailed by a wedding during a degree? Is he missing class for it?

Is it an undergrad degree, or graduate?

I got married the week after I passed my oral exams for the PhD (which were preceded by exams every 2 weeks for 10 weeks). Planning a wedding at the same time as studying for comps actually worked well for me; I could procrastinate from one stressful thing by working on the other.

Which is to say, 21 year old kids I could see waiting. Grad students who are already living together, no big deal.

Is it an undergrad degree, or graduate?

Med school.

Grad students who are already living together, no big deal.

Which is what they are. (Well, him.)

Wait, your parents are threatening to disown their about-to-be-a-DOCTOR son? Man. That's like the holy grail, right?

A Grail tainted with whiteness.

Holy grails don't marry white women.