Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(60,584 posts)
Mon Aug 16, 2021, 01:36 PM Aug 2021

Bill Aims To Change North Carolina's Reputation As The Place For Adults To Marry Kids

A bill in North Carolina aims to raise the minimum marriage age from 14 to 16 and limit the age difference between 16-year-olds and their spouse to 4 years. The state has a reputation as a go-to place for child brides.



NATIONAL

Bill Aims To Change North Carolina's Reputation As The Place For Adults To Marry Kids

August 16, 20217:51 AM ET

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RALEIGH, N.C. — Known for its coastlines, mountains and the state that was "first in flight," North Carolina has also developed a more dubious reputation recently: as a regional destination for adults who want to marry children.

State lawmakers are nearing passage of a bill that could dampen the state's appeal as the go-to place to bring child brides — but would still leave it short of a national push to increase the age to 18. The proposed legislation would raise the minimum marriage age from 14 to 16 and limit the age difference between a 16-year-old and their spouse to four years.

"We will have moved the needle and made North Carolina no longer at the very bottom of the barrel of states," said Drew Reisinger, the register of deeds in Buncombe County. But, he said, "we're still going to be putting a lot of children in harm's way."

Reisinger said the county, which includes the popular tourist city of Asheville, is a destination for many adults and child brides from nearby states such as Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee — all of which have raised the minimum marriage age in recent years.

Two-thirds of the marriage applications in Buncombe County last year that involved at least one person under 18 originated from people who lived outside of North Carolina, Reisinger said, noting that a 49-year-old man and 17-year-old girl recently came from Kentucky seeking a license.

{snip}
3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Bill Aims To Change North Carolina's Reputation As The Place For Adults To Marry Kids (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Aug 2021 OP
2/3rds outside of NC? So, you transport a minor across state lines for sex is felony, marriage A-OK? TheBlackAdder Aug 2021 #1
Watch who votes against it. rickyhall Aug 2021 #2
Gaetz would vote against it. The marriage part, not the underage part. keithbvadu2 Aug 2021 #3

keithbvadu2

(39,850 posts)
3. Gaetz would vote against it. The marriage part, not the underage part.
Mon Aug 16, 2021, 06:55 PM
Aug 2021

Gaetz would vote against it.

The marriage part, not the underage part.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»North Carolina»Bill Aims To Change North...