Child Marriage Laws in the U.S.
Child marriage is still legal in some U.S. states, allowing for devastating ceremonies that trap young people in abusive relationships. Advocates are working to end child marriage nationwide.
Key Points
- Child marriage is a human rights violation and forced marriage
- Advocates call for raising the minimum age for marriage to 18 in all states
- Some minors view marriage as a way out of difficult situations
Pros
- Advocates working to end child marriage
- Progress being made with 12 states ending child marriage since 2018
- Efforts to raise minimum age for marriage to 18 nationwide
Cons
- Lack of unified action against child marriage
- Patchwork of state laws makes it easy for minors to be transported to states where child marriage is legal
- Minors trapped in abusive marriages with limited legal rights