Child marriages can be unofficial or lawful marriages by persons under the age of 18.

This form of marriage was historically commonplace, involving boys and girls, though the vast majority affected are young girls.

Child marriages have benefitted royals and the vastly wealthy in securing political and financial ties. Prevalent reasons also include sealing land or property deals, settling disputes, consolidating family wealth, tradition and culture, poverty, uncertainty in times of war and famine, and gender inequality. Nowadays child marriages continue to occur in developing countries specific to regions in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Oceania.

The stress and trauma on a married child’s health, education, and social development is undeniable and one of the most familiar sources of death for girls aged 15-19 in developing countries continues to be childbirth.

Child marriages came under scrutiny in the 20th century and the influence of Western nations of Christian beliefs helped define the marriageable age. The Christian Ecclesiastical Law outlawed the marriage of girls before the age of puberty, and the Catholic Church has historically increased the minimum age of marriage in line with the Code of Canon Law. Western countries all share a similar position on the legal marriageable age (16 to 18).

The New Testament displays an expansive knowledge of cultural change and makes it especially clear that Christians should abide by the laws of their ruling authorities created to establish order, protect the innocent, punish evil, and promote justice.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities”.

(Romans 13)