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Child Marriage in New Hampshire: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding New Hampshire's Child Marriage Laws

New Hampshire is one of the few states in the US that has no minimum age requirement for marriage, making it possible for children under the age of 18 to marry with parental consent. This law has raised concerns among child welfare advocates who argue that it puts minors at risk of exploitation and abuse.

In 2018, New Hampshire had the third-highest rate of child marriage in the country, with 124 children between the ages of 15 and 17 getting married. The majority of these marriages involved girls marrying adult men.

Risks of Child Marriage

Early marriage can have devastating consequences for children, including:

Higher rates of domestic violence: Studies have shown that children who marry before the age of 18 are more likely to experience physical, sexual, and emotional abuse from their spouses.
Lower educational attainment: Child brides often drop out of school to get married, which limits their future economic opportunities.
Health problems: Child brides are more likely to experience health problems related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Social isolation: Child marriages can isolate children from their peers and family, which can lead to mental health issues.

Stories of Child Marriage

Story 1:

Sarah was 16 years old when she married her 22-year-old boyfriend. She had just dropped out of high school and was pregnant with his child. Sarah's parents consented to the marriage, but she says she felt pressured into it. "I didn't really have a choice," she said. "I was told that if I didn't marry him, I would have to give up my baby."

Story 2:

Maria was 15 years old when she was kidnapped and forced to marry a 30-year-old man. She was held captive for several months and was repeatedly raped and beaten. When she finally escaped, she was pregnant and had several STIs.

Story 3:

Ahmed was 17 years old when he married his 14-year-old cousin in an arranged marriage. He said he had no say in the matter and that he was forced to drop out of school to work and support his family.

What We Can Learn from These Stories

These stories highlight the devastating impact that child marriage can have on children's lives. They also show that child marriage is not always a voluntary choice and that it can be a form of exploitation and abuse.

Effective Strategies to End Child Marriage

There are a number of effective strategies that can be used to end child marriage, including:

Raising the minimum age of marriage to 18 without exceptions.
Providing education and support to girls so that they can make informed decisions about their future.
Empowering girls and women economically and socially so that they can resist pressure to marry early.
Working with communities to change attitudes and beliefs about child marriage.

How to Help End Child Marriage in New Hampshire

There are a number of things you can do to help end child marriage in New Hampshire, including:

Contact your elected officials and let them know that you support raising the minimum age of marriage to 18.
Donate to organizations that are working to end child marriage.
Educate yourself and others about the risks of child marriage.
Speak out against child marriage whenever you see it.

Call to Action

Child marriage is a serious problem that violates the rights of children. We all have a responsibility to work together to end this harmful practice. By raising our voices and taking action, we can create a world where all children are safe and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.