You said a bunch of southern states are trying to LOWER the marriage age. You still haven't posted any proof of that claim. And - what your article is about doesn't even disagree with my statement. There's a grand total of...4 states that have loopholes for marriage under the age of 16. It's only ever under the age of 16 in the cases of emancipated minors, court orders, and they generally have an age window that's acceptable -- usually 3 years.

[–] Kalysta@lemm.ee 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/3259843-tennessee-bill-would-eliminate-age-requirements-for-marriages/

https://www.newsweek.com/wyoming-ending-child-marriage-sparks-republican-outrage-1780501

https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article274244525.html

https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/13/last-ditch-push-to-ban-child-marriage-in-missouri-must-overcome-resistance-in-house/

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/child-marriage-ban-struck-down-west-virginia-republicans-1234693670/

I can find more if you want. Republicans, many in southern or red states, are actively standing in the way of child marriage bans, and some are calling to lower the age.

But you too could have googled that.

[–] kitnaht@lemmy.world -1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

First off, you made the claim. It's not my prerogative to confirm your claims for you.

First link: Bill dead.

Second link: HB0007 passed, limiting marriage age.

Third Link: In 2018 Missouri passed a law increasing the minimum age. I can't seem to find a bill here that actually has the wording; though the article does claim a politician said he knew 12 year olds that had gotten married and were still married.

Fourth Link, again Missouri -- again, an age window of acceptance for 16-17 yr olds.

Fifth Link West Virginia -- again, age window of acceptance for 16-17 year olds, only fight here is raising it to 18.

So...yeah, a lot of these are sensationalized; from reading the bills I could find ; WHEN I could even find them. Other than the third link, and that guy is sick in the head. So none of the states were trying to lower minimum age; some random Republicans were.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Do give us an acceptable reason for a 16-year-old to marry.

[–] kitnaht@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

I married my first wife when she was 16 and I was 18 to get her out of the foster care system and out of an abusive household where she was getting beat nearly to death daily.

I'm not saying that should justify allowing 16 year olds to marry, but these marriages at 16 usually are only allowed due to exceptions -- in most cases, they still require a court order or parental consent.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

First of all, I don't believe that for a minute. That is what CPS is for.

Secondly, that does not even come close to justifying letting 16-year-olds marry. That's a reason that the foster system needs to be reformed, not that child marriage is a good idea.

[–] kitnaht@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

I don't give a fuck if you believe me or not, CPS does not give a flying fuck about people in the foster care system. My ex-wife got raped twice while in the foster system after people like you told her that CPS would be better. Sure, she was not getting beat to death (figuratively; I have a feeling you're gonna be pedantic about that phrase), but she was at least used to that part...

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Then, again, the argument should be to reform the foster system, and not maintain the child marriage system, which also facilitates rape.

[–] kitnaht@lemmy.world 0 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I'm NOT ARGUING FOR child marriages! You told me to give you a reason, so I did. The original poster above said states were trying to lower ages; they aren't! The national minimum age is steadily rising. Some dipshit republicans in some states argued against it - that doesn't mean that "states are lowering the age" as claimed.