California bans child marriage, a practice still legal in 32 US states

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law surrounded by survivors of child marriage, including Courtney Stodden, whose parents permitted her to marry a 50-year-old Hollywood actor when she was 16. Stodden called the change a "victory" and said survivors "never have been expected to carry this burden." Newsom described the measure as "long overdue" and a step to protect young Californians.

The law ends all exceptions that allowed minors to marry in the state. Previously, California permitted marriage for 16- and 17-year-olds with parental consent and for younger minors with a court order. The new statute requires both parties to be 18.

Advocates point to cases like that of Brittany Bee, who was married as a teen, to illustrate the harms of the practice. Child marriage disproportionately affects girls, who are often married to older men, and can lead to higher rates of domestic violence, school dropout, and poverty.

While California now joins a growing list of states that have set 18 as the minimum marriage age, the issue remains unresolved nationally. Legislation to ban child marriage has been introduced in several statehouses but faces opposition in others, where cultural, religious, and parental-rights arguments are raised.

The signing marks a significant victory for a coalition of survivors, women's rights groups, and child protection organizations that have campaigned for uniform age of marriage laws across the United States.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The law directly protects California minors from being forced into marriage, a practice linked to higher rates of abuse and limited educational opportunities.
California is the most populous state to enact such a ban, potentially increasing pressure on other states to follow.
The change closes a legal loophole that had allowed thousands of minors to marry each year, often to adult partners.

Background

Child marriage in the United States has historically been legal in most states, often with exceptions requiring parental or judicial consent. While many states have raised their minimum marriage age in recent years, 32 states and the District of Columbia still permit some form of marriage under 18. Advocates have worked for over a decade to eliminate these exceptions, citing data showing that over 200,000 minors were married in the US between 2000 and 2015.

Key Perspectives

Survivors and advocacy groups: They view the ban as a critical protection against exploitation and abuse, arguing that no minor can meaningfully consent to marriage. Courtney Stodden and Brittany Bee have become prominent voices calling for a national age floor. Opponents of blanket bans: Some religious groups and parental-rights advocates argue that parents should have the authority to consent to their child's marriage, particularly in cases of pregnancy or cultural tradition. The debate often centers on whether exceptions should remain for judicial approval. Critics and skeptics: Some worry that a flat ban could drive the practice underground or lead to unregistered religious marriages, potentially making vulnerable minors even harder to reach and protect.

What to Watch

Similar bills moving through legislatures in other large states, such as Texas, New York, and Florida.
Whether the federal government introduces legislation to set a national minimum marriage age.
Data from California following the ban's effective date to see if it reduces underage marriage filings or if alternative arrangements emerge.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources