General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsChild marriage is legal and persists across Canada
Over 3,600 marriage certificates were issued to children under the age of 18 between 2000 and 2018
McGill University
Canada is at the forefront of global efforts to end child marriage abroad. Yet this practice remains legal and persists across the country. In Canada, more than 3,600 marriage certificates were issued to children, usually girls, under the age of 18 between 2000 and 2018, according to a new study from researchers at McGill University. In recent years, an increasing number of child marriages have been common-law unions.
Child marriage, defined as formal or informal (common-law) marriage before the age of 18, is a globally-recognized indicator of gender inequality because the negative consequences for health and personal development disproportionately affect girls. While much research has focused on developing countries, in wealthier nations like Canada, child marriage practices are overlooked and understudied.
https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/mu-cmi010821.php
applegrove
(118,832 posts)Klaralven
(7,510 posts)In the majority of states, the age of marriage is 16 with parental consent.
OnlinePoker
(5,727 posts)It was 14 up until a few years ago.
On edit, we also have something called close in age exceptions where 14 and 15 year olds can have sex with an older person as long as they're no older than 5 years above. And 12 and 13 year olds can have sex as long as their partner is no more than 2 years older.
Klaralven
(7,510 posts)Statutory rape is rarely prosecuted, especially when both parties are under 18.
The number of teen pregnancies vastly exceed the number of statutory rape convictions.
LeftInTX
(25,595 posts)I think this is new!