How are we just raising marriage age to 18?

[Whattodonut]

Just that. Amazing its taken so long!

I would prefer there was an additional caveat that those marrying between 18&20 cannot marry people from overseas

Yeah, that's how it was for a few years - the minimum age for a marriage visa was 21 for a few years before it was challenged in courts and brought back to 18. The laws around them have changed a lot in the last couple decades, now noncitizens have to be on certain visas to marry in the UK with a lot of other requirements.

Fair enough, but I'm a bit sick of people talking about my youth as if we all wore bustles.

I totally agree that no 16 year old should be getting married. if you made me supreme empress of the world I'd make it 25.

but the problem is all the religions teaching that the only circumstances where you can have sex without sinning is within the confines of a lifelong monogamous heterosexual marriage. and 16 year olds are as randy as hell. obviously most 16 year olds will prioritise their sex life over their immortal souls, which is fair enough. but for those who believe the religious teaching, telling they can't have sex yet AND can't get married yet might feel unfair. the number of 16 year olds in this position must be tiny.

I believe the law previously was that you could get married at 16 or 17 with your parents permission, but only on your own authority from 18.

Agre. I think it should be raised. We all know 15/16 years olds will have sex but again older men thinking it’s ok to sleep with a 16 year old because it’s legal.

Actually you can opt out of training and education. Both mine did. It just means you are not eligible for benefits.

DD was manager of where she worked, training graduates to do the job she was doing before she was 18

Also you can stay in a hotel. I know Dd booked a few times for various events her and her friend went to. Only one objected when they arrived and I had to speak to the receptionist to assure them I was ok with them staying their.

Banning marriage at 16 will just mean more people live together and some will never end up getting round to marriage which will just leave women in an even more precarious situation long term.

Agree @Whattodonut Should be 21 IMO. Why the fuck does anyone want to get married before 21 in 2023? There are sooo many reasons to not get married til 21 or older. I do get that 40-50+ years ago, there wasn't much of a future for some girls/young women. So, many would get married to ensure a fairly secure future, and not be alone/on the shelf/still living with mum and dad at 45. (This was moreso in the working classes.)

But there are SO many opportunities for girls/young women now. Getting married even at 18 is batshit.

By the way - my description of unmarried women up there ^ was how they were viewed (by many) pre mid 1980s. Not so much now . Maybe a few people may think this way, but it is (thankfully) way more acceptable now for women to be single way into their mid 30s, or even to stay single, and way more opportunities for women.

Maybe a few people may think this way, but it is (thankfully) way more acceptable now for women to be single way into their mid 30s, or even to stay single, and way more opportunities for women.

Ok I'd agree that nobody really needs to be married at 18 but not everyone wants to the whole finding your husband at 35, baby at 38 and 40 lifestyle.

My grandmother wanted to get married under 21. Her father was dead and her mother would not give permission so her fiancé and her went to court and the court gave permission.

I think they got permission because she was pregnant.

No it won't.

The proposal is to stop child marriage.

You are aware 16 and 17 year olds are children?

Such a law would have criminalised actions of certain famous older men including a Prince.