As of 2024 only 13 states (and two territories) have passed legislation making the marriage of persons under the age of 18 illegal without exception. 4 US states do not have minimum age requirements as long as there is parental consent. Since 2000 over 300,000 minors have been married in the US.
This is an issue that opens the doors for coercion and human trafficking in the United States.
Minors who get married do not have access to adequate protection as they cannot seek legal assistance without their “guardian” (no divorce or restraining orders against abusers). They are also significantly disadvantaged socially and economically leading to high rates of divorce, poverty, lack of education, and health problems.
There should be no exceptions for child marriage (religion, pregnancy, etc.) because there is no evidence that marriage is a beneficial solution in these cases.
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