It has damaged a lot of us

Popular Nollywood actress Judy Austin is sending a cautionary message to young women about the pitfalls of early marriage.

In a now-viral Instagram live session, she highlighted how rushing into marriage, especially under pressure from pregnancy, can lead to lifelong regret.

“Because you’re pregnant for him, you will regret it,” Judy said. “The first question you should ask yourself is, can I spend the rest of my life with this guy, now that he is behaving like this? Am I going to be able to love him, be committed to him, grow with him, build a life with him?”

She emphasized that young women who are not mentally ready for such a responsibility are particularly vulnerable. “You cannot make that decision if you’re still a child. You cannot make that decision if you’re not mentally ready for that kind of relationship,” she warned.

Judy went further to explain the broader consequences of early marriages, citing broken homes and struggling families. “Early marriage has damaged a lot of us. Many people are divorced, struggling to take care of children they weren’t ready for in the first place. Some guys will just give birth and disappear.”

In a nutshell, she asked women to focus on personal growth, work, and spiritual readiness before committing to marriage. “Show up for yourself before you expect any other person to show up for you,” Judy stressed.