Child Marriage Hasn't Been Fully Banned In Any U.S. State (HBO)

Between 2000 and 2010, an estimated 248,000 children were married in the United States, with the majority of cases involving a younger girl marrying an older man. This is according to Unchained at Last, an organization that helps victims of forced and arranged marriages.

Such marriages are associated with a variety of negative outcomes, but thus far no state in the US has banned the practice outright. Last year, Democratic State Senator Jerry Hill attempted to make California the first to do so, but ran into opposition from the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood. He plans to re-introduce another version of the bill soon, however it will still allow for minors to marry.

Florida is now poised to become the first state to pass a full ban. Last week, a “no exceptions” bill authored by Republican State Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto was passed unanimously by her colleagues in the Senate. The bill is currently before the Florida house, where a floor vote is expected next week. However it has been met with some opposition and passage is no way guaranteed.

VICE News met with state lawmakers and child marriage survivors about attempts to change existing laws.

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[VICENews]

Between 2000 and 2010, an estimated 248, 000 children were married in the United States, with the majority of cases involving a younger girl marrying an older man.

[traplover]

Can't vote, can't consent to legal documents, and can't drink. But you can be forced by your parents to commit to a child marriage.

[wolfgangsta_]

No one should be forced to marry. Period.

[king-oreos]

What’s the point of consent laws if you can get married at any age

[ErikGiovani]

My aunt got married at 13 and it took years for her to escape, wasn’t until she was nearly 30

[TheRunningLeopard]

Reading the comments here made me quite sad. No child can consent to marriage, they are just children for heaven's sake! They deserve to live happy lives, spending time with friends and families, not giving birth at the age of 14.

[boomer]

So you cant get a loan or insurance or many other things until you're 18 but you can get married ? Yeah they need to change the laws . You shouldnt be forced into ANYTHING especially marraige .

[Dasloth]

I honestly had NO idea this existed. this is appalling

[_MessyJessy]

Child marriage should never be allowed.

[talandar]

I think this was so taken for granted that nobody even thought this could happen.

[centurionofgodsarmy]

As a Canadian Citizen I'm shocked that the USA doesn't have a legal marriage age. I honestly can't believe it.

[tiadeese]

My cousin was married off @ age 14. This happened in the 1980s. Yet American prides itself on being so different from other countries. Right...

[billyd]

Pedophilia: Is Illegal
Child marriage:

[EmpressMermaid]

When a minor gets married, laws get really twisted. In many states, even though children can marry, they actually cannot initiate a divorce as they are too young to initiate a lawsuit. She can't enter into a contract or live on her own. Can't seek medical care without a guardian, or often even be employed. And if she tries to leave she may even be considered a runaway. A domestic violence shelter who helps may be accused of harboring a minor. It is as if the husband has "custody." Again, this may vary from state to state.

[pctLowBattery]

C’mon America you’re supposed to be better than this.
Screw the “states rights” argument, it should be banned across all states, not when each states decides if it feels like voting for or against child marriage laws. It shouldn’t be up for debate. Shame on those parents as well, they’ve failed their children.

[bensteiner]

In New Jersey, child marriage is now banned. I am very thankful for that.

[marth]

I'd understand if the law was set to a "16-18-21->>" maximum age difference, but this is just plain legalised paedophilia, better to call it what it is.

[Shrekapoof]

Anyone putting up opposition to this bill should have their hard drives and internet history checked by default

[riftripper]

If you actually look at the demographics of where these child marriages occur they overwhelmingly happen in rural, poor communities. Additionally for those of you blaming Islam the overwhelming majority not only live in urban environments but tend to follow the most liberal interpretation of Islam. I’m not saying that the religion itself is absolved but when discussing US domestic law you have to look at the data before you can just blame an entire group wholesale.

[youngap]

Wow yaay for America. I can't believe how hypocritical Americans about other nations when they themselves are doing things that you will only find in the so called "3rd world countries".