Minimum age for marriage is now 18

Other methods were also available, and condoms easy to get.

18 seems ridiculously young to me, but I suppose it suits some people. I was still at school, and in full-time education until I was 24 (school followed by two full-time degrees). I suppose that wouldn’t have stopped me marrying, but the thought never entered my head. I had a friend who married at 22, and I thought she was crazy!

I married at 28, as did my mother.

18 is the recognised age of maturity so should be the age when people can get married. I'm glad the law has changed as previously we were condoning child marriage. Children cannot sign a contact yet we let them contract into a marriage. Now we just need to change the age they can join the armed forces. No more child soldiers.

Sad but it has been done to protect young people in danger of forced marriage. Not too unusual in some areas for those about to enroll for their A levels not to reappear in school as they have been tricked into a 'holiday' in the old home and 'married' to an uncle/cousin etc. The illegality of marriage at that age in this country means stronger protection for them if they realise what's afoot - there will be posters up in school with info and numbers for help. www.supportline.org.uk/problems/forced-marriages/

Totally agree vampirequeen. Joining any armed forces should never be for children, below 18.

I was 17 hubby 19 and we celebrate 46 years of marriage in April. Nit fir everybody but I’d do it again.

Your GP observed patient confidentiality, Fleurpepper. Good for him.

Fleurpepper

Totally agree vampirequeen. Joining any armed forces should never be for children, below 18.

They are not allowed to join below the age of 18 without parental permission.

No entrant under 18 would be sent on operations outside the UK.
Other European countries eg Germany, The Netherlands, stipulate a minimum age of 17 which seems reasonable.

Many who join undertake years of apprenticeship similar to civilian apprenticeships.

They're still classed as being in the armed forces. Marriage used to be allowed with parental permission but now it's been decided that it's no longer acceptable. If a child can't vote or marry then they shouldn't be in the armed forces with or without parental permission.

They do all the training so that they're ready to be used from their 18th birthday onwards.

My DH was a child soldier and he refused to sign for his son to join up. He says it's not a decision that a child should make and not a situation a child should be placed in.

Callistemon21

Fleurpepper

Totally agree vampirequeen. Joining any armed forces should never be for children, below 18.

They are not allowed to join below the age of 18 without parental permission.

No entrant under 18 would be sent on operations outside the UK.
Other European countries eg Germany, The Netherlands, stipulate a minimum age of 17 which seems reasonable.

Many who join undertake years of apprenticeship similar to civilian apprenticeships.

I am fully aware of the conditions, thanks. What difference does parental permission make to the fact they are tied for at least 4 years, as soon as they reach 18. Yes, that is the pull, the training, the trips and sports, etc. But what a price to pay, if and when.

At least it's not compulsory National Service as still happens in many countries, including several European countries.
What a price to pay if and when especially as it is not a voluntary decision.

Do you not agree with having Armed Services for defence?

Better one volunteer than ten pressed men.

I think it is still possible to marry at 16 in Scotland without parent's consent.

I would have married my husband when I was 16 and he was 20 as we had already been together for two years but we had no money and needed to pass our exams, get a proper job and save up to get married.

Therefore we had a six year "courtship" during which we were not able to live together as that was not allowed.

Men who have reached the age of majority can volunteer. Children can only join up with parental permission. That alone shows that they are not deemed to be able to make such an important decision without adult input.

DD2 and many other children that I taught went on the Army recruiting day trips where they had a brilliant time playing on the obstacle course, firing rifles and being told what a wonderful life it was. They were shown a film which stressed the fun opportunities such as skiing in Norway, scuba diving in Cypress and seeing the world. No mention of what being a soldier really entails. No mention of shooting at and being shot at. No mention of what can happen to you physically and mentally. No mention of suffering from nightmares decades after you've left. These children are sold a dream.

DD2 wasn't swayed. She just had a great time. However, I know several children who went on to join up as soon as they left school.

Elder son wanted to join the Royal Marines after GCSEs at 16. Both parents needed to sign consent and neither of us would. He stayed at school and did A-levels and joined the Marines at 18. At 19 he was in Iraq followed by Afghanistan. After six years he gave notice. He was fed up of being shot at. The stories he told would make your hair curl.

Perhaps we should stick to the discussion on age of marriage.

Why should this thread not meander in the way discussions do Fleurpepper?

Ladyleftfieldlover’s post resonated with me. My nephew applied to the Royal Marines when he was in 6th form. His much loved and admired grandpa had bern a royal marine. In ww2. Nephew wasn’t enjoying A levels and was attracted by the idea of foreign travel as well as wanting to emulate grandpa. His parents refused to sign but agreed he didn’t need to complete his A levels. He did an apprenticeship and by 20 was clear the military life wasn’t for him.

Being old enough to make key decisions is an important discussion. Having said this, I acknowledge, many children have no real choice about under age marriage and the law should be enforced

Fleurpepper

Perhaps we should stick to the discussion on age of marriage.

This isn’t the first time you’ve tried ( but not succeeded) to dictate the flow of the thread.
You aren’t in the classroom now. We are all adults and will post what we wish to.