California has officially banned child marriage, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing legislation to end the practice that is still legal in 32 US states.
The new law, which will come into effect on 1 January, states people must be 18 to get married in the Golden State.
Newsom called it a “long overdue measure to protect young Californians and minors”. He signed the bill into law with Courtney Stodden, whose parents allowed her to marry a 50-year-old Hollywood actor when she was just 16.
No, they’re not the same. I think the original poster was pointing out that you can’t say “you’re an adult” at 18 when it comes to getting married, then say “you’re not an adult” when you want to make medical decisions at 18.
At 18 or whatever legal age, you make all your decisions, politicians don’t get to pick and choose based on their lifestyle choices.
Should probably be 21, weird you can sign up to go fight a war but can’t smoke or drink.
What medical decisions are being made by the child alone, pray tell? What the fuck does that even entirely mean?
At 18? Any? They could be emancipated, could decide to get on birth control or have an abortion in private, maybe they want a vasectomy? Who cares, it’s their choice. Vaccines for instance. Blood transfusions or donate blood? The list goes on, maybe they have webbed feet and want to split them but mama loves Jesus and doesn’t want to let her get the surgery? It’s really none of our business, that’s why we set an age where they can do these things.
And that’s the exact problem with child marriage: a minor does NOT become legally emancipated by the mere act of marrying. They simply switch their parent or legal guardian with their older spouse, whose consent they must still have for the exact same procedures. They don’t just stop being a minor because they got married.
It’s not just medical procedures, but anything requiring the ability to sign a contract: applying for a restraining order, hiring an attorney, even going to a shelter requires you to either be an adult or a minor accompanied by an adult.
Yet all those things you listed as being available to legal adults are still NOT a married minor’s choice. It’s still their parent’s or guardian’s or older spouse’s choice.
https://unchainedatlast.org/child-marriage-in-the-u-s/
We’re talking about two different things. One, where an 18 year old would be an adult in the eyes of the law and can make his or her own medical decisions (after speaking to a professional ideally) and whether an 18 year old is of sound mind and body to consent to a marriage. It’s either all or nothing.
My point before was, people will say you can be an adult and get married, but not be an adult to make your own decisions about medical. Which is bonkers.