I suppose it all has to do with education—and I do not mean the “public school” type which creates spoiled narcissists who can’t function at any job. I think of who I would have picked if I married at 18 instead of at 22 and I do cringe. Life experiences are so narrow until a person is working and out on their own. I was so naive at 18.
THe matchmaker role figured more prominently in biblical societies than it did today. Parents and close relatives were intimately involved in setting up the match. Also unskilled or semi skilled labor from an early age were commmon. Given that, still shouldn’t Americans have the choice to do what did not offend God, perhaps with the consent of both sets of parents.