What would it take to end child marriage? There’s a new federal push to limit it.

Prior to 2018, child marriage was legal in all 50 states. As of 2026, 17 states have passed bans. In SC, 16- and 17-year-old can get married, with parental permission.

By: Mariel Padilla

Outlets: South Carolina Daily Gazette

Published: July 21, 2026

Words: 2,600

Last Updated: 4 weeks, 2 days ago

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This story was originally published by The 19th.

Genevieve Meyer describes her childhood in the 1980s as being filled with “a lot of violence, a lot of volatility and a lot of instability.”

She was raised in Southern California by a single mom who suffered significant mental health issues and, later, she had an abusive stepfather. She stopped going to school after sixth grade, never went to medical appointments and often fielded …

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