In Texas, you must be 18 to get married, right? While that is mostly true now, that wasn't the case until 2017- shockingly late but better than never.

Before 2017, you must have been 18 to get married on your own, however, you could get married as young as 16 with a parent or guardian's permission (or coercion) and even younger with a court order.

Now, you must be legally emancipated AND have a court order to marry under the age of 18 here in Texas.

From 2000-2018 Texas led the nation in Child Marriages

Texas had by far the most child marriages in the U.S. between 2000-2018.  41,774 children were married during this time.

And before you picture two 17-year-olds holding hands, the sad reality is that most child marriages are between an adult man and an underaged girl, according to Unchained At Last. This nonprofit seeks to end all child marriages.

What's the harm of Child Marriage?

While anyone even asking this question should probably be put on a watch list, I still feel it's important to explore the harm objectively.

87% of the total minors who got married in 2000-2015 were girls, demonstrating quite clearly the power differential in child marriages.

The harm to these girls could have included sex trafficking, psychological damage, physical harm*, and a lack of educational and career opportunities.

*UNICEF reported in 2007 that globally, a girl aged 15 is five times more likely to die in childbirth than women in their 20s.

What Changed In Texas?

Right before the 2020s, many states opted to change laws to either ban child marriage outright or raise age limits/ add restrictions to child marriages.

Texas followed suit with Senate Bill 1705, a bill lobbied for by a former child bride who was coerced at 14 to marry a convicted sex offender who was 12 years her senior.

Trevicia Williams was doing well in school and had big aspirations and career goals. Her mother forced her into a marriage with a man she had never met and with no explanation as to why she was being pawned off on him.

Dr. Trevicia Williams is now a motivational speaker and author.