[Decadence]

Originally Posted by vinceprince

How do you feel about living in a country where children can and do get legally married off to older men at ages as low as 11 in many states to reflect 'Christian customs'

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/200000-children-married-us-15-years-child-marriage-child-brides-new-jersey-chris-christie-a7830266.html

Strangely resembling many 'backward' Islamic countries or even ISIS. Is this part of the traditions of Christian America that needs to be preserved. I'm sure the husbands' intentions are as honourable as the Prophet Mohammads'.

At the same time a pimp exploiting a child can rightly face a lifetime in jail regardless whether the parents 'consent'.
Traditional family values eh?

So.. is this really a question or a lame attempt to equate America with cultures of the world that haven't evolved since the 13th century?

The legal age for marriage in America, in general, is 18. Most states allow for marriage at 16 or 17 with parental consent. As always, exceptions are made with judicial approval.

It seems the legal age for marriage in the UK is 16.. gays/lesbians not included, according to the Church of England.

Similarly, the age of consent in America is set by the individual states and varies from 16 to 18. Sex with an individual under the age of consent constitutes statutory rape. You've heard the saying "17 will get you 20"? It's true.

It's interesting to note the age of consent in other countries: it’s 13 in South Korea and Japan, and, until recently, Spain; 14 in Austria, Germany, Italy, and Portugal; 15 in Denmark, France, and Sweden; and 16 in most of the rest of the Western world. The ages of 17 and 18 in the United States are outliers, though Ireland and a couple of states in Australia are also at 17.

In the few instances you referenced, judicial activism was required in order for these marriages to take place. It's neither common or accepted practice in every day life in America for people under the age of 15 to get married. Your article had to go back 10 and 15 years to find the rare examples that aren't indicative of the norm.

Got any more specious comparisons?