In a significant move, Florida lawmakers have enacted a law aimed at banning child marriage, driven largely by the advocacy of a woman who endured unimaginable trauma. At just 11 years old, Maria Thompson was coerced into marrying her rapist, a situation that unfolded after years of abuse beginning when she was merely eight.
Thompson’s plight began when she was repeatedly assaulted by a man who was a deacon at her church. When her family learned of the horrifying circumstances, they were pressured to allow an arrangement that led to her marriage at a young age, sanctioned by a judge. The abuse did not cease as she was forced to give birth to multiple children before ultimately escaping the marriage. Her education was disrupted, and her youth was stripped away, as she reflected on how the newly passed law could have changed her life. “If I had not been allowed to marry, I would have been able to focus on my future and raise my children on my terms,” she noted.
While many Americans may believe that child marriage is an issue confined to other countries, the reality is alarming. According to reports, over 200,000 minors—predominantly girls—were wed to adult men in the United States between 2000 and 2015. In Florida alone, from 2012 to 2016, there were 1,828 marriage licenses issued to individuals where at least one party was a minor, including cases involving children as young as 13. Such circumstances highlight the absurdity of allowing child victims to be married to their abusers.
The new legislation, which has received the endorsement of Republican Governor Rick Scott, imposes restrictions on marriages involving 17-year-olds. Under this law, individuals marrying a 17-year-old must be no more than two years older, and parental consent is required for minors. However, advocates argue that this still leaves loopholes, as some teens may be coerced into marriage by their families. “While this bill is a step in the right direction, it does not fully protect vulnerable minors,” remarked advocacy leader Jenna Ellis.
In a society where significant legal decisions typically require one to be 18 or older, from renting a car to voting, the question arises: why should marriage be any different? As efforts continue to eradicate child marriage across the U.S., Thompson expressed her relief at the progress being made in Florida. “I feel a sense of accomplishment,” she stated following the vote. “My motivation was to safeguard children, and I believe I have succeeded in that mission. This is not about me; I survived.”
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Summary
Florida has passed a law prohibiting child marriage, largely due to the advocacy of Maria Thompson, who was forced into marriage at a young age after being abused. The legislation imposes restrictions on 17-year-olds but has been criticized for not fully protecting minors. This move highlights the need for continued efforts to eliminate child marriage in the U.S.
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