When will the age of consent for marriage be reduced nationwide? Will it go lower than New Hampshire's age 13?

2015-06-28T16:43:51-04:00

Laws existing in one state have been used to expand the laws to other states sometimes based on inter-state commerce and others based on perceived or penumbral rights.
The age of consent for marriage in New Hampshire is 13. When I enlisted one of my platoon mates from Tennessee had been married at age 15 to a 14 year old back in the 1970's. There have been efforts to reduce the age of consent by libertarians with more noble intent and sometimes by NAMBLA (North American man/Boy Love Association) with most likely less-noble intent.
I expect the age of consent to be pushed down by litigants in several states this year as they attempt to capitalize on the overturning of DOMA by SCOTUS. I hope the age of consent does not go below age 13 and I hope it won't go that low any time soon.
6/28/2015 Update] Here is the quote from Justice Kennedy's majority opinion discuss in marriage age:
"The significance of state responsibilities for the definition and regulation of marriage dates to the Nation’s beginning; for “when the Constitution was adopted the common understanding was that the domestic relations of husband and wife and parent and child were matters reserved to the States.” Ohio ex rel. Popovici v. Agler, 280 U. S. 379, 383–384 (1930). Marriage laws vary in some respects from State to State. For example, the required minimum age is 16 in Vermont, but only 13 in New Hampshire. Compare Vt. Stat. Ann., Tit. 18, §5142 (2012), with N. H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §457:4 (West Supp. 2012). Likewise the permissible degree of consanguinity can vary (most States permit first cousins to marry, but a handful— such as Iowa and Washington, see Iowa Code §595.19 (2009); Wash. Rev. Code §26.04.020 (2012)—prohibit the practice). But these rules are in every event consistent within each State."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2015 4:48 PM

2015-06-28T16:48:09-04:00

If anything it should be raised to 21.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Jun 28 at 2015 5:29 PM

2015-06-28T17:29:23-04:00

It seems to me that the only reason for someone to push to move age limitations down, thus making the age of consent for marriage, or sexual relations, would be either someone who wants to prey on children because a grown-up wouldn't put up with their behavior, or someone who thinks that they are going to be famous as the lawyer that helped pass this "ground breaking" legislation.

Either way, there is something wrong with the picture when an adult feels it necessary to take advantage of a child to live out their twisted "I'm attractive to a teenager, who looks just like the one I couldn't get when I was in high school" fantasy.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jun 28 at 2015 6:43 PM

2015-06-28T18:43:09-04:00

That perspective hinges on a rather fatalistic view of the recent SCOTUS rulings. It won't happen though as there's no reason to legally do it. We are not about to upend the entire legal landscape by lowering the age of majority. it's just not even in the same solar system as gay marriage.

The only way I see it happening is if some states decided to not recognize a legal marriage from another state and the harmed couple sued. Even then, the implication that we're a couple years from legalizing pedophilia is a tad outrageous.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2015 6:44 PM

2015-06-28T18:44:32-04:00

Given the current ruling, I believe all state marriage laws are in doubt. Now that the federal government is regulating marriage, it will most likely have to establish the standards for age of consent and authority to perform marriage ceremonies. Marriage is no longer under the purview of the state and as such, I suspect anything that was considered legal before is in doubt. Staying single appears to be the better option.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Jun 29 at 2015 9:40 AM

2015-06-29T09:40:43-04:00

The Usurping of powers by the Federal government, not granted it by the Constitution IS fatalistic. Unfortunately this is done regularly and unapologetically by all three branches of our government.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Jun 29 at 2015 9:56 AM

2015-06-29T09:56:34-04:00

Gary marriage was already legal in 32 States before this ruling, 11 States by popular, or legislative means, the balance by the respective State's courts. SCOTUS acted outside it's Constitutional constraints and ruled on political expediency rather than Constitutionality, on an issue that was on track to resolving itself naturally and constitutionally.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 29 at 2015 9:41 PM

2015-06-29T21:41:02-04:00

If anything New Hampshire should raise their age of consent to 18!

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Oct 26 at 2015 6:21 PM

2015-10-26T18:21:36-04:00

Should never be addressed nationally. States do have rights.

Response by MAJ Bill Maynard made Oct 26 at 2015 7:14 PM

2015-10-26T19:14:13-04:00

To clarify, the age of consent in New Hampshire for marriage is 18 unless parental consent is given and then the minimum age for females is 13 and the minimum age for males is 14.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 26 at 2015 7:20 PM

2015-10-26T19:20:24-04:00

With great freedom comes great responsibility. It is, in my opinion, the responsibility of adults to protect children and teach them to protect themselves until they are able. A child of thirteen is not yet fully developed either mentally, emotionally, or physically. This is scientifically observable fact. Thus, it appears that the "adults" in New Hampshire are in desperate need of a swift kick in the ass if this is true.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2015 8:03 PM

2015-10-26T20:03:39-04:00

My paternal grandfather married my grandmother when he was 19 and she was 13. My father was born 10 months later, aunt 11 months after that, and uncle a year after that. They legitimately loved each other until they died.

That being said, kids today are not as mature as kids were in the 50's. Hell even in the 80's kids were far more mature than today.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 1:16 AM

2015-10-27T01:16:25-04:00

Well it will help the non-predator who should never get out of prison, and some should be executed. Same with some sex offender; those peeing in yards and 17 yr olds with other 17 yr olds. The last thing a parent should have to worry about. LTC Stephen F.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Oct 27 at 2015 1:50 AM

2015-10-27T01:50:45-04:00

LTC Stephen F. To bring that to absolute clarity sir, you have to have parental consent to marry at that age, in NH. Which, to be perfectly clear, my child would never get. And whatever tool was trying to push for her hand in marriage, would find that suddenly age really was an issue. Age of consent in NH is 16. And as a father, that is too young. I am not preaching, but being real.
I deal with people who prey on kids.
Kids will be kids, you raise them (yours) right, and pray they do not completely screw the pooch, or become the prey of someone who chases after children.
We as a society, in my opinion have an obligation to protect the young and old, as neither can take care of themselves. I have yet to meet a 13 year old "child"-and since I have a child, I am fully qualified to call them children (that is not my professional voice, that is my DAD voice), who could figure out how to function as a teen ager, let alone as a husband or wife.
In many states, in my opinion as a father, our ages of consent are too young. That is something that I would change if I were "king for a day". Alas, unless in my head, that is unlikely.

NAMBLA makes me cringe. I don't care about what consenting adults do behind closed doors, what adults do to children, gets my attention.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 7:23 AM

2015-10-27T07:23:19-04:00

Well ... each states come up with that ... that is the power of the states ...

Response by PO2 William Smith made Oct 27 at 2015 10:44 AM

2015-10-27T10:44:47-04:00

I agree with the comments about one age for adult status. That would probably be 18 although 21, to me, would be better.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Oct 27 at 2015 12:40 PM

2015-10-27T12:40:10-04:00

LTC Stephen F. We are talking about rite of passage. It is one of the stages that is a part of the change from childhood to adulthood. This change has evolved with humanity. Back in the middle ages when people did not live long, a person had to become an adult at a younger age. It was a matter of survival. Once a person was considered an adult, there were no strings attached. That person went from being a dependent upon society to a member of society. Nowadays, we live at least twice as long as the middle age folks. There is less pressure for survival. Furthermore, adulthood comes in stages. The first stage is driving which can occur anywhere from 10 to 16 years of age. Next comes voting/military service at 18 years (17 with parental consent). Then comes drinking at age 21. Marriage is something that as you noted occurs somewhere between the first and the last stage. From a personal perspective, I was married first at the age of 27, and I was not ready for it. Neither was my ex-wife. Our marriage failed. From a maturity stand point, I do not think that a thirteen, eighteen, or even twenty year old knows enough about themselves to be ready for the commitment of marriage. From a personal stand point, marriage has devolved into a legal agreement to give up half your stuff and lose your credit standing when the relationship fails. With the divorce rate at 50% it is not a stretch that the relationship will fail. Boys and Girls are not physically, mentally, emotionally, sexually, or financially ready for the responsibility of marriage. Beyond even that, they should be encouraged to experience life before settling down. I agree with SGT Jinger Jarrett that we should have a straight age of adulthood. 16, 18, 21 I don't care where it is set, but once it is established, then that is it. The individual is an adult, and responsible for all of the decisions that the individual makes from that time forward.

As an aside, I think that in order for this to happen, the schools need to step up and educate these kids on real life skills. I think a basic cooking class should be required to graduate. I think that instead of teaching generalized economics, they should teach them how to balance a check book. The real impact of a credit score on financial stability, and other real life skills that they will need.

Just my two cents.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Oct 28 at 2015 2:43 PM

2015-10-28T14:43:18-04:00

LTC Stephen F. - Colonel; I really doubt that the age of consent should be dropped quite so far as Mississippi does.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_marriage_in_the_United_States

But I do agree with SGT Jinger Jarrett that there should be some uniformity on a national basis and I can't see why people who are accorded one "adult right/responsibility" shouldn't be accorded all of them.

To find a married combat veteran who has been decorated for valor and has fathered children can't legally purchase a beer at a ballpark is the height of idiocy.

Age of marriage in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The age of marriage in the United States varies by state, but is generally 18. There are, however, two exceptions - Nebraska (19) and Mississippi (21). Most states, however, allow minors below 18 to marry (generally they have to be at least 16 but sometimes lower) with parental and/or judicial consent. Some states allow female minors below 18 to marry without parental or judicial consent, if she is pregnant.