Currently in Kentucky the law saws 16 and 17 year old teens can marry with parental consent.  A resent bill proposing the age be raised to 18 is causing mixed opinions.

The bill was proposed by Donna Pollard, a Louisville woman because she was given consent by her mother to marry at the age of 16.  The man she married was 30 years old and a former camp counselor from a youth camp she attended who abused her before and after she was married.  She is now speaking out for others.

The bill failed to be called to schedule twice and is now undergoing changes to appease both sides of the coin.  There are groups that fell this should be left up to a parent on how they raise their child and if they give permission to marry at a young age.  Others say they minimum age should be raised to 18.

Over the last 17 years over 11,000 minors were married here in Kentucky.  According to KYCIR.ORG, Adams’ bill would require a 17-year-old who wants to get married to also meet the requirements for legal emancipation. This means they would have to prove that they are self-sufficient, with a source of income and place to live, and have obtained their high school diploma or GED.

I think back to when I was 16 years old and that was the time of my life.  I was involved in many extra-curricular activities, hung out with friends, and really enjoyed my alone time!   However, this is just who I was.  Everyone is different.  I reflect on my sons 12 and 15 and think they can't even remember to brush their teeth on a daily basis there is no way I would consent for them to get married!

What is your opinion on the minimum age requirement?

 

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