When we think of child marriage, many envision distant lands and religious traditions. However, this troubling practice is prevalent right here in the United States, where children, often as young as 12, are forced into marriages that strip them of their freedom and childhood. Many of these young girls find themselves in domestic roles, raising children, and enduring relationships with partners often decades older than themselves.
You might assume that in America, one must be at least 18 years old to enter marriage, as it is a legal contract requiring consent. Unfortunately, that is not the case. According to the advocacy group Unchained At Last, between 2000 and 2010, an alarming 248,000 minors were wed in the U.S. — that’s nearly a quarter of a million children, with 85% being girls. The majority of these unions involved young girls marrying adult men, raising serious concerns about consent and exploitation.
State laws regarding marriage age vary widely. A staggering 27 states have no minimum age for marriage, while others allow marriages at ages as low as 13 for girls and 14 for boys. In many instances, parental or judicial consent is all that is needed to proceed. Only Virginia mandates that individuals must be 18 or emancipated minors aged 16 or 17. Meanwhile, during the decade from 2000 to 2010, some states, including South Carolina and Louisiana, permitted 12-year-olds to marry.
The Story of Sarah Thompson
Take the story of Sarah Thompson, a 16-year-old who met her future husband, Mark, while receiving treatment at a mental health facility. He was 30 years old and began by flirting with her subtly. Their relationship quickly escalated, leading to a rushed marriage with her mother’s consent, under the condition that Sarah would complete her schooling. However, after a tumultuous start, she found herself isolated and pregnant before her 18th birthday, trapped in a cycle of abuse and regret.
The Consequences of Child Marriage
Statistics reveal that girls who marry before age 19 are 50% more likely to drop out of high school and face significant barriers to career and educational opportunities. Furthermore, those married before 18 are three times more likely to experience physical abuse than those who marry later in life. Shocking cases, such as that of Emily Carter, who was forced to marry her rapist at 11, highlight the urgent need for legal reform. Despite these harrowing stories, legislative efforts to raise the minimum marriage age often encounter resistance.
For example, in New Hampshire, Girl Scout Emily Levesque‘s initiative to raise the marriage age to 18 faced rejection from the Republican-controlled House, which cited tradition over the well-being of children. New Jersey passed a law banning marriages for minors, but Governor Chris Christie vetoed it, claiming it would interfere with religious practices.
The Need for Reform
It is difficult to reconcile the fact that child marriage persists in a nation that prides itself on freedom and protection for the innocent. The disturbing reality is that in at least 27 states, children as young as 10 can marry, with little oversight. As a society, we must confront this issue head-on. To truly protect our youth, we need comprehensive reforms that uphold their rights and well-being.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, child marriage remains a significant issue in the United States that demands our attention and action. We must advocate for the rights of children and push for legislative changes that protect them from harm.