Child marriage is legal in Louisiana
February 14, 2023
In 2019 the Louisiana legistlature set the minimum age for marriage at 16. That is below the state’s age of consent.
About the Writer
Alexis Horton, Assignment Editor
Alexis Horton is the Assignment Editor for the Maroon Minute. She was previously the Lead Anchor. She is a mass communications major with a concentration...
David • May 18, 2023 at 7:00 am
I am not from LA but stumbled over the Maroon on a recent visit. With abortion banned, teen pregnancy will continue to be an issue. Now instead of the child being killed, society will again see many pregnant teen mothers in our promiscuous culture and in-school sexualization of children. Hundreds of years ago when the average lifespan was in the thirties, it was the norm to have teen parents. While this is natural, it’s by no means ideal. I am 1000% against pedophilia, but often teens get pregnant. The allowing of marriage for three reasons. First, so the child would have two parents to support and care for the child. Two parent households have a much better outcome, financially, spiritually, and emotionally for the CHILD. Second, in a time of extended families, the grandparents of the infant would be involved in the marriage to support and raise the child(ren). Third and most importantly, the marriage told the teen’s mother and father it was not OK to continue hooking up with other people. Having a child meant marriage and fulfilling their responsibilities to that child. My wife was born to a mother and father who were both underage. The marriage lasted about a dozen years and ended in divorce because of the father’s infidelity and lack of financial support. Killing the child because of the parent’s promiscuity is never the answer. I would argue adoption is a much better option than a shotgun wedding. But there have been many teens who have conceived a child, been married, and lived a lifetime together as faithful husband and wife and great mother and father. Holding a ceremony to commit to one another is not a sexual act. The outrage should be focused on states like VT where a pedo can take an 11-year-old mother in for an abortion, with no questions asked. The killing of the child allows the pedo to continue raping the underage girl, now mother to a dead child.
I would argue that teen marriage should not be allowed for other reasons. There are non-Jewdeo-Christian cultures that routinely promote arranged marriages. This may be between a 12-year-old girl and a 35-year-old man. As our border allows unrestricted immigration, arranged marriages will continue to be a problem in these cultures. Without a law, there’s nothing that can be done to stop it.
In my home state, we just passed a law that allowed underage sex between school officials and students. There was a loophole in the law, and after years of trying state legislatures just closed it. One side argued that it was ridiculous and that the loophole wasn’t really a loophole. A year later, a person was just arrested for having sex with an underage student. I would encourage everyone in LA to fight to update this outdated legislation.
Sammie • Apr 22, 2023 at 7:51 am
Where is the outrage? There should be an uproar!!!! Protesting/Marching demanding that our children/minors & underage children be protect at all cost!!!!! Only those “powers that be” (85% of elected officials that should be removed from office ) who are pedophiles Their the only ones who thinks this & letting underage decide for themselves if they wanna be a boy or girl/ change body parts is right & in a agreement with this!!!!! This is not right & unacceptable 🤦🏽♀️😡🤦🏽♀️😡
concerned alumni • Apr 18, 2023 at 9:33 am
The commenters here are correct, this is ridiculous and disgusting.
HOWEVER…From reading the Maroon over many months, I imagine most of the people upset by this are just fine with “gender affirming care” for children even younger than this. “Care” that includes permanent sterilization and mutilation.
I would also imagine most of the people upset with this are big fans of the U.N., which is now saying children and adults should be able to consent to sex.
Which is it?
Armyof1 • Mar 5, 2023 at 7:04 am
This is sickening, when I was 16 I was just interested in fishing hunting camping out and enjoying being a kid, I never even thought about getting married, I was focused on joining the Army, and I did, I served 12 years, and didn’t get married until I was 23,
Janie Williamson • Mar 3, 2023 at 2:44 pm
Just another example of Louisiana’s literacy. How low can they go ?
Wayne Blevins • Feb 19, 2023 at 7:14 am
What have we become?
Jennifer • Feb 15, 2023 at 6:28 am
Selling girls for sex happens in all types of families. Forced marriage at a young age was traditionally used to get rid of unwanted female children. This is a rural reality and is not just about economic need. This is similar to China, where girls are left to starve to death.
Stephanie Wheeler • Feb 14, 2023 at 9:31 pm
A 16 yr old can get married? That is absolutely absurd. How will they support themselves. Clearly Louisiana didn’t think this through.
Dianne Holder • Feb 14, 2023 at 8:47 pm
That’s so irresponsible of the state! A 16 year old; won’t even be responsible for oil changes in a car; much less; being able to devote themselves to one partner in a marriage. Law needs to rethink this one; carefully!
Hannah • Feb 14, 2023 at 8:06 pm
The fuck is this stupid shit?!?!? I hate this state more and more CHILDREN ARE OFF LIMITS
Kasey • Feb 14, 2023 at 7:54 pm
You misspelled Louisiana… 🤦♀️
Paul Joseph Matherne Jr • Feb 14, 2023 at 7:31 pm
What are people thinking this is not right
Dominica • Feb 14, 2023 at 7:17 pm
Who the he’ll thought that was a good idea children don’t belong acting like adults
Debra Hall • Feb 14, 2023 at 6:35 pm
Damn ridiculous. Y’all ban abortions but underage marriages are legal. Child molesters in the makings.
Jeromy Lehoux • Feb 14, 2023 at 6:15 pm
Way to young . Live and learn to be happy 😊
Ethan • Feb 14, 2023 at 5:33 pm
You can’t drink. You can’t vote. Why is this legal. Hell you even have to be 21 to smoke now. You shouldn’t be able to get married till 21. Everything else is 21 so should marriage. I’m from Louisiana and this is not cool.
Lenell • Feb 14, 2023 at 4:13 pm
This is not right they don’t have the mindset to be married hell 18 is still to young and childish because they are children
Ted Atterbery • Feb 14, 2023 at 3:39 pm
Minimum age should be 18 or older.