Marriage: What is the age limit ?

Age consent or Age limit in which a parent give out their child in marriage has become an issue.

using a case study of some states in the United States.

Alabama          The age of consent is sixteen. With parental consent, parties can marry at age fourteen. However, this parental consent is not required if the minor has already been married. (Other statutory laws apply.) Common law marriage is recognized.

Alaska  The age of consent is sixteen. Parties can marry at a younger age, also with parental consent. Common law marriage is not recognized.

Arizona            The age of consent is eighteen. With parental consent, parties can marry at the age of sixteen. Parties can marry at a younger age, but with both parental and judicial consent.

Arkansas          The age of consent is sixteen. With parental consent, females under the age of sixteen can marry with parental consent and can receive a license by reason of pregnancy or the birth of a child.

California        The age of consent is eighteen. With parental consent, there are no age limits regarding the minimum age for a couple to marry. (Other statutory laws apply.) California offers some spousal rights for registered same-sex domestic partners.

Colorado         The age of consent is seventeen. Parties can marry at a younger age, also with parental consent. Common law marriage is recognized.

Connecticut     The age of consent is sixteen in most relationships (except where one party is in a position of authority over the younger party).Parties can marry at a younger age, but with both parental and judicial consent. Like Vermont (see below), Connecticut permits same sex couples to be parties to a "civil union."

Delaware        The age of consent is eighteen. Males can marry under the age of eighteen with parental consent and under the age of seventeen can receive a license by reason of pregnancy or the birth of a child. With parental consent, females can marry at age sixteen and under the age of sixteen can apply for and receive a license by reason of pregnancy or the birth of a child. Common law marriage is not recognized.

Florida The age of consent is eighteen. With parental consent, parties can marry at age sixteen and parties under the age of sixteen can receive a license by reason of pregnancy or the birth of a child. However, this parental consent is not required if the minor has already been married. Common law marriage is not recognized.

An interview of a parents who preferred been anonymous on the street of a lagos give further insight on the issue.