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.
Marriage is a contract. People can’t enter into contract under 18 without parental consent. Why is this true, but somehow a child has capacity to enter a life long contract of marriage? I get parental consent is needed for child marriage, but it still makes no sense to have a child enter a contract this intense at an age they can’t do it without parental consent. You can’t vote or serve in the military yet, but you have the capacity to enter a marriage contract? That’s fucking stupid.