Child marriage is a human rights violation that affects millions of girls and boys around the world. It robs them of their childhood, education, health, and freedom. It exposes them to violence, abuse, and exploitation. It perpetuates poverty and inequality. It is a global problem that requires urgent action.
But did you know that child marriage is also a reality in the US? According to a recent report by Unchained at Last, a nonprofit organization that advocates for an end to child marriage in the US, more than 200,000 minors were married in the US between 2000 and 2015. Most of them were girls, some as young as 10 years old. And most of them married adult men, some in their 40s or 50s.
How is this possible in a country that claims to be a leader in human rights and gender equality? The answer lies in the outdated and discriminatory laws that allow child marriage to persist in almost every state. In most states, the minimum age for marriage is 18, but there are exceptions that lower the age limit or eliminate it altogether. These exceptions include parental consent, judicial approval, pregnancy, or emancipation. In some states, there is no minimum age for marriage at all.
These loopholes create a legal system that enables and facilitates child marriage, often against the will of the minors involved. Many of these minors are coerced or forced by their parents or guardians to marry for various reasons, such as religious beliefs, cultural norms, family honor, or financial gain. Some of them are victims of sexual abuse or rape and are pressured to marry their abusers to avoid stigma or prosecution. Some of them are fleeing from abusive or neglectful homes and see marriage as a way out. Some of them are simply too young and naive to understand the consequences of their decision.
The consequences are devastating. Child marriage deprives minors of their rights and opportunities. It limits their access to education, employment, health care, and social services. It increases their risk of domestic violence, sexual assault, mental health problems, and maternal mortality. It isolates them from their peers and support networks. It traps them in a cycle of dependency and poverty.
Moreover, child marriage is extremely difficult to escape. Minors who marry are legally bound to their spouses until they reach the age of majority or obtain a divorce. However, obtaining a divorce is not easy for minors who lack the resources, knowledge, and power to do so. They may face legal barriers such as residency requirements, waiting periods, fees, or parental involvement. They may also face social barriers such as stigma, shame, or fear of retaliation from their spouses or families. Many of them end up staying in abusive or unhappy marriages for years or decades.
Despite these harsh realities, child marriage remains largely ignored and tolerated in the US. There is a lack of awareness and data on the issue among the public and policymakers. There is a lack of political will and courage to challenge the entrenched interests and beliefs that support child marriage. There is a lack of legal protection and assistance for minors who are married or at risk of being married.
This situation is unacceptable and must change. Child marriage is not a tradition, a culture, or a choice. It is a violation of human dignity and rights. It is a form of child abuse and exploitation. It is a crime that should be banned and punished.
That is why we need to join forces and demand an end to child marriage in the US. We need to raise awareness and educate people about the harms and dangers of child marriage. We need to advocate for laws that set 18 as the minimum age for marriage without exceptions in every state. We need to support organizations that provide legal aid and social services to minors who are married or at risk of being married.
We need to stand up for the rights and futures of our children. We need to end child marriage now.
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