Gov Gavin Newsom called it a "long overdue measure to protect young Californians".

California has officially banned child marriage, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing legislation to end the practice that is still legal in 32 US states.

The new law, which will come into effect on 1 January, states people must be 18 to get married in the Golden State.

Newsom called it a “long overdue measure to protect young Californians and minors”. He signed the bill into law with Courtney Stodden, whose parents allowed her to marry a 50-year-old Hollywood actor when she was just 16.

  • ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net
    1·
    3 days ago

    Wait, you think marrying 16 year olds is worse than allowing 14 year olds?

    No, the exact opposite. Obviously.

    In Spain it was raised to 16 not so long ago and Committee on the Rights of the Child (part of UN) recommended it: https://www.telemadrid.es/noticias/internacional/ONU-recomienda-Espana-minima-casarse-0-1180381983--20101010044758.html (sorry, can’t find good source in English). So basically it’s 18 but in special cases court can allow a 16 year old to get married. And UN body responsible for protecting rights of the child thinks that ok. So for me saying that child marriage is a worldwide problem because of countries like Spain is like showing

    and saying that police killings are a worldwide problem. A bit misleading.