Since 2016, 35 U.S. states have enacted legislative reforms to end or limited child marriage and this summary offers a concise look at the impacts of these reforms. Variations in minimum age of marriage, legal emancipation requirements, judicial responsibilities, and allowable age differences between spouses, among other legal limitations, are highlighted to give a complete view of what incremental progress has looked like in those states that have not yet set a bright line age of marriage at 18 without exceptions. This document complements the Map of Legislative Reforms to give more detailed information on current marriage laws in those 35 states that have initiated reforms.
See AllSummary of Marriage Age Reforms Achieved across the U.S.
Survivor Voices
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Anastasia
I came to the U.S. in the winter of 2006. Life back home in Mexico was tough for me and my family. I dreamt of going to college and graduating but with my family’s economic status, that dream was too costly and impossible.
At least I was able to graduate high school and that is something I am proud of since I was also working at the time to help my family. I was always looking for an opportunity to have a better life as a young woman.June 23, 2023 -
Camila
“I hope my story is helpful to someone else…and can inspire many women to be stronger. We need to help young women identify toxic relationships, so that there are fewer Camilas that go through such difficult things, let alone have our children suffer.”
November 21, 2022
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