Ohio lawmakers begin push to end child marriage once and for all

Ohio is one of 34 states still allowing girls under 18 to marry while men must be 18 in the state. And although Ohio raised the minimum age in 2019, 17-year-olds can still wed with court approval if their spouse is no more than four years older. Now, a bipartisan bill seeks to close that gap permanently and make marriage for any minor illegal, no exceptions. 

Survivors and advocates warn of lasting harm 

Advocates for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault have long warned that child marriage creates serious risks. When one spouse is under 18, the power imbalance can be extreme. That imbalance, they warn, can increase vulnerability to abuse and exploitation. Maria York of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network explained that minors who marry often cannot access domestic violence shelters. They may also struggle to file for divorce or hire an attorney. In some cases, they cannot even sign a lease independently. 

York said in Statehouse News: 

When one spouse is a minor, the power imbalance is easier to exploit, harder to push back against, and harder to escape.

For survivors, these risks are not theoretical. Stephanie Lowry was married shortly after turning 16. She was pregnant at the time. Her husband was 19. What followed, she says, was violence and trauma. 

Lowry shared: 

I had to wait till I was 18 to end the marriage. I didn’t survive because the system worked. I survived despite it. Child marriage made my life harder than it ever needed to be. 

Lowry says the experience shaped every part of her life. Leaving at 18 did not undo the harm. Instead, it marked the beginning of years of rebuilding. 

Political tensions and broader debates 

The new bipartisan bill, sponsored by Sen. Bill Blessing and Sen. Bill DeMora, would set 18 as the minimum age for marriage without exceptions. If passed, Ohio would join 16 other states that have banned marriage for minors outright. Supporters say the issue is about consistency and protection. Young people cannot vote. They cannot sign most contracts. They cannot legally drink or rent cars. Thus, they should not be able to enter a lifelong legal commitment. 

DeMora said: 

You can’t do a lot of things until you’re 18. And so why is it different that you can get married before you’re 18? Once they get married, they’re emancipated from their parents. And that means a minor becomes entirely financially just dependent on their spouse. 

Currently, when minors marry in Ohio, they become legally emancipated. As a result, they lose certain protections while gaining adult legal responsibilities. But despite bipartisan sponsorship, the bill is entering into a complex political landscape. Sadly, the bill also continues Ohio’s ban on same-sex marriage, though currently not enforceable because of the US Supreme Court’s 2015 decision legalizing it. 

Drawing a firm line at adulthood 

Supporters say the proposal is straightforward. They argue that setting 18 as the minimum age aligns marriage with other adult rights and responsibilities. For survivors and advocates including Freedom United, the goal is equally clear. No child should ever be placed in a legally binding relationship before reaching full adulthood, no exceptions.  

It’s in the hands of Ohio lawmakers as to whether the state will join the growing list that have closed the door on child marriage or continue to allow dangerous and harmful exceptions. But you can help by adding your voice and calling on lawmakers all over the US to end child marriage, no exceptions.