California has finally banned child marriage, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing a law that prohibits anyone under 18 from getting married. This makes California the 18th state to do so in the past decade. Advocates and survivors of forced marriages are thrilled, saying they’re “deeply grateful” for the governor’s decision. Newsom stated that this law will protect young Californians and make them safer than ever before.
The journey to this law was long and arduous, with previous efforts to ban child marriage facing opposition from liberal civil rights organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood. They argued that a ban could restrict a child’s reproductive freedom and ability to make healthcare decisions. However, advocates against child marriage countered that children cannot fully consent to marriage and that forcing them into one is a form of abuse. In fact, because the age of consent in California is 18, marriage between an adult and a child is essentially a loophole that legalizes statutory rape.
The new law is a significant victory for advocates who have been pushing for an absolute ban on child marriage for nearly a decade. Research has shown that teenage girls who are married are more likely to live in poverty, drop out of high school, and develop health problems like diabetes or cancer. With Planned Parenthood choosing not to oppose the bill this time around, the Legislature was finally able to pass the law, ensuring that children in California are protected from the dangers of child marriage.