In a significant legislative move, California has put an end to child marriage, a practice still legal in 32 other states across the United States. This change comes as Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law requiring individuals to be at least 18 years old to marry, effective from January 1. This landmark decision has been described by Newsom as a “long overdue measure to protect young Californians and minors.”
Advocates Celebrate the Ban
Courtney Stodden, a public figure who became well-known after marrying a 50-year-old actor at the age of 16, was present at the signing. Having long campaigned against child marriage, Stodden hailed the law as a “victory” and vowed to continue advocating for similar protections across the entire country. Her marriage to actor Doug Hutchison drew widespread attention and sparked discussions on several reality TV shows, including “Couples Therapy.”
Other survivors of child marriage have also expressed their support for the new legislation. Brittany Bee, who was married at 17 to escape an abusive home, praised California for sending a “message of hope” to children worldwide. She recounted her own experience of moving from “one prison to another” and emphasized that children cannot truly consent to marriage.
Historical Context and Advocacy
Until recently, California had no minimum age for marriage, provided there was parental consent and judicial approval. This loophole allowed many minors to enter marriages, often with adult men, without a clear path to divorce or escape from potentially abusive situations. According to Unchained At Last, an organization dedicated to ending child marriage in the U.S., approximately 9,000 girls were married annually in California.
Sara Tasneem, another advocate who was forced into marriage at 15, described the passage of this law as “surreal.” She had been lobbying for change since 2017, sharing her personal story of being introduced to her husband on their wedding day, becoming a mother at 16, and leaving school. Tasneem expressed relief that from January 1, 2027, no child in California will face the same fate.
This legislative action marks California as the 18th state to ban child marriage since 2018, highlighting an ongoing shift as more states reconsider their laws on this issue.
