Hailey Bieber said she 'lived enough life' to marry Justin Bieber at age 21. Here's what a therapist says about maturity and marrying young.

• Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin) said she had "lived enough life" before marrying Justin Bieber at 21.
• Therapists say that having many life experiences doesn't necessarily prepare someone to marry young.
• Young people considering marriage should ask their partners about core values before tying the knot.

Hailey Bieber's (née Baldwin) whirlwind marriage to the singer Justin Bieber shocked the world in 2018, in part because of how "insanely young" the two were, she told Elle for a recent cover story.

The model and influencer, now 24, told the publication that while she was only 21 when she said "I do," she had "lived enough life" to know it was the right decision for her.

Marriage in your early 20s was the norm less than 50 years ago, but the rise of women in the workplace and the decline of rigid gender roles has caused many people to marry later in life.

While there is no ideal age to marry, Victoria Goldenberg, a psychotherapist and media advisor for the Hope for Depression Research Foundation, told Insider that young marriages could be at some emotional disadvantages compared with those who marry in their late 20s and early 30s.

People raised in certain cultures may be more prepared for marriage in their early 20s

Some cultures prepare people for marriage in their late teens and early 20s, making it a goal to work toward similar to graduating from college.

Goldenberg said that people following a cultural tradition of marrying early could be more prepared for the weight of marriage and have a better infrastructure of family support to help their relationship succeed.

"Our preparation, our emotional readiness for marriage affects your mental health," Goldenberg said. "Early marriage is really great for a lot of people, especially those who come from certain cultures in which they're trained to be married early."

However, marrying young quickly for love or to leave home can leave many crucial questions about your partner unanswered until after the ceremony. Couples should discuss issues like religious values, moral beliefs, and living styles before making a forever commitment.

"Do you want children?" "Where do you want to live?" and "Where do you see yourself in 20 years?" can all be deal-breaking questions left unresolved if a wedding is rushed.

Your brain and life haven't fully developed before age 25

Additionally, marrying young can mean making a lifelong vow before your brain is fully developed, at age 25 or so.

And while having many life experiences at a young age may mature some people, it doesn't necessarily mean they're ready for marriage.

"You definitely want your brain to be developed, because that's not the only thing that's developing," Goldenberg told Insider. "You're also developing your career, your education - you're financially setting yourself up for a good future."

Prioritizing getting married over finishing your education or developing a career could create an unhealthy relationship that's very difficult to leave further down the line.

You can have a toxic marriage at any age, but always go into a partnership prepared

While there are added challenges to marrying young, toxicity can exist in a relationship at any age.

Goldenberg said it's crucial to ask questions about your core values before jumping into the next phase of the relationship. Ultimately, young marriage, like any marriage, can be difficult if you don't prepare for it.

"People should be married and should be happy if that's what makes them happy," Goldenberg said. "If you're prepared, if you're secure enough, fine. But for 20-year-olds in America, I would say as a general rule is no. You should be with a partner who brings happiness into your life. Your partner shouldn't be your only source of happiness but be an aspect that adds to it."