Today in most western nations, teenagers are perceived as too young or immature for marriage.
I think that Elinor was always wise beyond her years. She saw marriage for the socio-economic institution it was in Victorian England. Marianne had more growing up to do but, in the end, she does see Colonel Brandon as a man of substance who would take care of her. I think the context of teenagers and marriage was very different in Victorian England as it is in todays Western countries. Marriage was a social and economic necessity, especially for women.
