[Brad Lockyer]

In a baffling decision, lawmakers in the US state of Missouri have allowed child marriage to remain legal there for at least another year, after a proposal to change the law was voted down.

Under current Missouri law, anyone under 16 is prohibited from getting married. But 16- and 17-year-olds can get married with parental consent to anyone under 21.

Under the proposed changes, all people under the age of 18 would be banned from getting married in Missouri. The bill was introduced by Republican state senator Holly Thompson Rehder, but was blocked in the house by a different group of Republican congressman.

The opposing congressman said the change would “constitute government overreach and infringe on parental rights”.

But Ms Rehder expressed shock at the decision.

“It was very surprising that the house has not allowed it to come to the body,” she said.

“Banning child marriage should not be controversial. When I filed this bill, I had no idea it would be controversial.”

[David Ryder]

My first wife was 17 and pregnant when we married in Queensland.
She was certainly not a child.
A century ago marriage at 14 or 15 was common enough although IMO that’s a bit too young.

[Couldabeen]

Whilst it is inappropriate in a democratic society for the Government to regulate who a person may, or may not marry, there are times when people do need to be protected from themselves in life changing and life long actions.
What Western Society is facing is the entry of peoples from foreign cultures where brides are often selected for older men against the will of the girls. It is these situations that the Government must be able to ensure that the true rights of the under age victims are protected.
Of course we all need to remember that virtually all teenagers can be rock solid sure of their emotions during those years and need to be reminded that “forever” at 15 has often lost it’s shine by 25.
There is a lot to be said for the lines from a song from the 70’s “Let me sleep on it, I’ll give you my answer in the morning”.

[Author]

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