child marriage Archives - American Atheists

American Atheists and Unchained At Last Push Government to Shine Light on Child Marriage

American Atheists — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 19:07:25 +0000

Washington, D.C.—Today, American Atheists and Unchained At Last, the only organization dedicated to ending forced and child marriage in the United States, wrote to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) about the agency’s proposed data collection activity on runaway and homeless youth (RHY). “Our organizations strongly support efforts to collect more accurate and detailed data pertaining to homeless youth,” said the two organizations. “However, we request that ACF improve the quality and utility of these data standards by integrating child and forced marriage data collection.” Child marriage remains legal in 46 of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and several territories. Unchained At Last estimates that between 2000 and 2010, 248,000 children as young as 12 were married in the United States – mostly girls married to adult men. “Unfortunately, not much data is available about the causes or context of child marriage in the U.S. However, we know that child marriage causes devastating, lifelong repercussions for children – especially girls,” noted the groups. The U.S. State Department has declared that it is a “human rights abuse” that contributes to economic hardship and leads to under-investment in girls’ educational and health care needs. The National Coalition for the Homeless has identified three categories for the causes of youth homelessness, two of which could be significantly related to child marriage: family problems and economic problems. Based on the organization’s work with survivors of child marriage, Unchained At Last is familiar with how child marriage affects youth homelessness for each of these categories. “Given the overall lack of data pertaining to this vulnerable population, it is imperative that we learn as much as possible to better meet the needs of these youth,” wrote the organizations. “With this data, young people facing homelessness as a result of child or forced marriage can be properly assessed and provided with appropriate resources. Moreover, organizations that work to address this issue systemically will have access to data showing how youth homelessness and child and forced marriage overlap and intersect.” For these reasons, American Atheists and Unchained At Last strongly recommend to ACF that child and forced marriage data elements be added to the data collection standards.

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Atheists: Protect Massachusetts Children from Forced Child Marriage

American Atheists — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 21:08:52 +0000

Boston, MA—Today, American Atheists, writing on behalf of its over 1,000 constituents in Massachusetts, demanded an end to forced child marriage. After the State Senate voted unanimously to ban child marriage, the Joint Committee on the Judiciary is considering a version of this bill. “This life-saving bill would prevent young people in Massachusetts from being coerced into marriage against their will,” wrote Alison Gill, American Atheists’ Vice President for Legal and Policy. “We urge you to swiftly pass this important legislation.” The U.S. State Department has called marriage before 18 a “human rights abuse.” An estimated 1,200 minors were married in Massachusetts between 2000 and 2016, the majority of which were girls marrying men. Currently, Massachusetts law has loopholes that permit young people under the age of 18 to marry with parental consent and judicial approval. Unfortunately, a requirement of parental “consent” hardly mitigates the danger of forced child marriage because when a child is forced to marry, the perpetrators are almost always the parents. There will always be parental “consent” when there is parental coercion in the first place. Therefore, Massachusetts law currently contains no effective procedural safeguard against the danger of forced child marriage. “Child marriage robs young people of the right to choose their own path in life,” wrote Gill. “By adopting H. 1478, Massachusetts would effectively eliminate existing loopholes and join states such as New Jersey and Delaware, which have taken proactive steps to end child marriage. We urge you to swiftly pass this important legislation to protect young people in Massachusetts.”

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End Forced Child Marriage in Massachusetts

American Atheists — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 16:53:08 +0000

The Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary is considering H1478, a life-saving bill that would prevent forced child marriage by prohibiting marriage of individuals under the age of 18. This legislation is important because, too often, marriages occur in religious sects where very young girls are forced to marry men much older than them. Child marriage remains a widespread problem in the United States. Between 2000 and 2010, more than 167,000 children as young as age 12 have been forced to marry in 38 states. Current Massachusetts law states a minimum marriage of 18, but allows children that are younger than 18 years old to marry with custodial parent or guardian consent, and judicial approval. No statutory minimum-age exists for these exceptions. The U.S. State Department has called forced marriage before age 18 a “human rights abuse.” Tell the members of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary to protect young people in Massachusetts from this devastating practice! Child brides forced into marriage because of their parents’ beliefs have few options. As minors, they face legal dead ends. Their parents still have custody rights, and organizations and shelters are unable to interfere with those rights. As a result, these children remain with abusive families and husbands, and they are often removed from school, raped, and live in poverty. The only way to give child brides the legal right to say “No” to marriage is to eliminate the ability for minors to marry and close loopholes to existing laws. Postponing marriage until both parties are 18 gives young women the legal right to refusal, emancipation from their families, and the ability to take legal action against domestic abusers. A version of this critical bill has already passed the Massachusetts Senate unanimously. We are so close to getting this passed—please help protect children in Massachusetts by asking the Joint Committee on the Judiciary members to support H1478!

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Protect Children in Massachusetts from Forced Marriage!

American Atheists — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 19:30:07 +0000

The Massachusetts State Senate is considering S.24, legislation that would prevent forced child marriage by prohibiting marriage of individuals under the age of 18. This legislation is important because, too often, marriages occur in religious sects where very young girls are forced to marry men much older than them. Child marriage remains a widespread problem in the United States. Between 2000 and 2010, approximately 248,000 children as young as age 12 have been forced to marry. Current Massachusetts law states a minimum marriage of 18, but allows children that are younger than 18 years old to marry with consent by a parent or guardian and judicial approval. No statutory minimum-age exists for these exceptions. The U.S. State Department has called forced marriage before age 18 a “human rights abuse.” Tell your Massachusetts state senator to protect young people in Massachusetts from this devastating practice! Child brides forced into marriage because of their parents’ religion have few options. As minors, they face legal dead ends: Their parents still have custody rights, and organizations and shelters are unable to interfere with those rights. As a result, these children remain with abusive families and husbands, and they are far too often removed from school, sexually assaulted, and live in poverty. The only way to give child brides the legal right to say “no” to marriage is to eliminate the ability for minors to marry and close loopholes to existing laws. Postponing marriage until both parties are 18 gives young women the legal right to refuse and the ability to take legal action against victimizers. Children should not be forced into marriage or made to suffer because of the religious beliefs of their parents. Tell Massachusetts senators to support S.24!

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Atheists Tell Pennsylvania to End Forced Child Marriage

American Atheists — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 17:35:52 +0000

Harrisburg, PA—Debbie Goddard, Vice President for Programs at American Atheists, wrote in support of SB 81. This bill would end forced child marriage in Pennsylvania. “As a Pennsylvania native and Vice President for Programs at American Atheists, which has over 1,700 constituents in Pennsylvania, I write in strong support of SB 81, a bill which would end child marriage in Pennsylvania,” she wrote. “This bill will protect young people in Pennsylvania from being coerced into marriage against their will, a harmful and archaic practice that happens all-too-frequently across our nation.” Current Pennsylvania law permits young people under the age of 16 to marry with the approval of a court if they have consent from a parent or guardian. Appallingly, there is no minimum statutory age for marriage through this process. Young people above the age of 16 can file for a marriage license with no additional requirements. A young person who is married through these loopholes is still considered a minor under the law, putting them in a tenuous legal position: A child spouse cannot file for divorce, sign binding contracts such as housing agreements, or take other legal action. As minors, child brides face legal dead ends. Their parents still have custody rights, and organizations and shelters are unable to interfere with those rights. As a result, these children remain with abusive families and husbands, and they are often removed from school, raped, and live in poverty. By adopting SB 81, Pennsylvania would effectively eliminate harmful loopholes in current law

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Protect Children in Pennsylvania from Forced Marriage!

American Atheists — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 19:20:20 +0000

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is considering HB 360/SB 81, legislation that would prevent forced child marriage by prohibiting marriage of individuals under the age of 18. This legislation is important because, too often, marriages occur in religious sects where very young girls are forced to marry men much older than them. Child marriage remains a widespread problem in the United States. Between 2000 and 2010, more than 167,000 children in 38 states, and as young as age 12, have been forced to marry. Research shows that 3.3 of every 1,000 children in Pennsylvania will be married as children. The U.S. State Department has called forced marriage before age 18 a “human rights abuse.” Tell your Pennsylvania representatives to protect young people in Pennsylvania from this devastating practice! Child brides forced into marriage because of their parents’ religion have few options. As minors, they face legal dead ends: Their parents still have custody rights, and organizations and shelters are unable to interfere with those rights. As a result, these children remain with abusive families and husbands, and they are often removed from school, raped, and live in poverty. The only way to give child brides the legal right to say “no” to marriage is to eliminate the ability for minors to marry and close religious loopholes to existing laws. Postponing marriage until both parties are 18 gives young women the legal right of refusal, emancipation from their families, and the ability to take legal action against domestic abusers. Children should not be forced into marriage or made to suffer because of the religious beliefs of their parents. Tell Pennsylvania lawmakers to support HB 360/SB 81!

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Protect Nevada Children from Forced Marriage

American Atheists — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 17:40:12 +0000

The Nevada Assembly is considering AB 139, legislation that would prevent forced child marriage by prohibiting marriage between individuals under the age of 18. This legislation is important because, too often, marriages occur in religious sects where very young girls are forced to marry men much older than them. Child marriage remains a widespread problem in the United States. Between 2000 and 2010, more than 167,000 children in 38 states, and as young as age 12, have been forced to marry. Research shows that 5.9 of every 1,000 children in Nevada will be married as children, one of the highest rates in the U.S.—second only to Texas and West Virginia. The U.S. State Department has called forced marriage before age 18 a “human rights abuse.” Tell your Nevada representatives to protect young people in Nevada from this devastating practice! Child brides forced into marriage because of their parents’ religion have few options. As minors, they face legal dead ends: Their parents still have custody rights, and organizations and shelters are unable to interfere with those rights. As a result, these children remain with abusive families and husbands, and they are often removed from school, raped, and live in poverty. The only way to give child brides the legal right to say “no” to marriage is to eliminate the ability for minors to marry and close religious loopholes to existing laws. Postponing marriage until both parties are 18 gives young women the legal right of refusal, emancipation from their families, and the ability to take legal action against domestic abusers. Children should not be forced into marriage or made to suffer because of the religious beliefs of their parents. Tell Nevada lawmakers to support AB 139!

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End Child Marriage in Massachusetts

American Atheists — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 20:10:14 +0000

Boston, MA—On Tuesday, Jennifer Bradbury, atheist activist and a survivor of child marriage, testified for American Atheists supporting S. 24. This bill would end child marriage in Massachusetts. “As a Massachusetts resident and member of American Atheists, which has over 1,000 constituents in Massachusetts, I thank you for holding a hearing on Senate Bill 24, ” she said. “This life-saving bill would protect young people in Massachusetts from being coerced into marriage against their will, a harmful and archaic practice that happens all-too-frequently across our nation. We urge you to swiftly pass this important legislation.” The U.S. State Department has called marriage before age 18 a “human rights abuse.” An estimated 1,200 minors were married in Massachusetts between 2000 and 2016, the majority of which were girls marrying men. Current Massachusetts law has provisions which permit young people under the age of 18 to marry if they have parental consent and judicial approval. Appallingly, there is no minimum statutory age for these exceptions. By adopting S. 24, Massachusetts would eliminate these loopholes and join states such as New Jersey and Delaware, which have taken proactive steps to end child marriage.

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Atheists Tell Nevada to End Forced Child Marriage

American Atheists — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 21:18:15 +0000

Carson City, NV—American Atheists, on behalf of its constituents in Nevada, wrote in support of AB 139. This bill would end child marriage in Nevada. AB 139 would protect young people in Nevada from being coerced into marriage against their will. Unfortunately, this harmful practice happens all too frequently across our nation. The U.S. State Department has called marriage before age 18 a “human rights abuse.” It destroys the child bride’s health, education, and economic opportunities. It also increases risk of experiencing violence. Those who marry before 18 have a 70 to 80% chance of getting divorced. Teen mothers who marry and then divorce are much more likely to end up in poverty than teen mothers who stay single. Current Nevada law permits young people under the age of 18 to marry under certain conditions. Young people ages 16 or 17 may marry with permission provided by a parent or guardian. Children younger than 16 may be do so with permission provided by a parent or guardian, as well as court approval. These loopholes invite abuse and endanger young people in Nevada. “Parental ‘consent’ hardly mitigates the danger of forced child marriage,” wrote Alison Gill, Vice President for Legal and Policy. “When a child is forced to marry, the perpetrators are almost always the parents. There will always be parental “consent” when there is parental coercion in the first place. Therefore, Nevada law currently contains no effective procedural safeguards against the danger of forced child marriage.” By adopting AB 139, Nevada would remove these dangerous loopholes.

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Atheists Tell New Hampshire to End Child Marriage

American Atheists — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 19:42:57 +0000

Concord, New Hampshire—Today, American Atheists, on behalf of its New Hampshire constituents, submitted testimony for HB 378. This bill would end child marriage in the state. HB 378 would protect young people in NH from being coerced into marriage against their will. Unfortunately, this harmful and archaic practice happens all-too-frequently across our nation. The harm caused by child marriage is daunting. It destroys the child brides’ health, education, and economic opportunities. It also increases their risk of experiencing violence. Those who marry before 18 have a 70 to 80% chance of getting divorced. Teen mothers who marry and then divorce are much more likely to end up in poverty than teen mothers who stay single. The marriage age in New Hampshire is 18, but the current law allows a dangerous exception. Children can marry if a parent or guardian petitions the court, and a judge approves. However, the requirement of parental “consent” does not remove the danger of forced child marriage. When a child is forced to marry, the perpetrators are almost always the parents. Therefore, New Hampshire’s law currently contains no effective procedural safeguard against the danger of forced child marriage. By adopting HB 378, New Hampshire would effectively eliminate this loophole and join states like NJ and Delaware that have already ended child marriage.

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