Minimum age for marriage is now 18

I support this change.

That said, one of my brother's married at 17 (16 year old girlfriend was pregnant) they've been happily together for 55 years.

He is is the only one of the five of us to have had this longevity!

Grantanow

Those who got married at 16 and are now celebrating their golden, silver., etc., anniversaries might want to breath a sigh of relief!

Indeed.

Married over 60 yrs ago at age 16.

No living together first.

Definitely a good move but 18 is still too young to marry. I married in my teens and was far too young, as was my husband. In those days no-one lived together before they got married, so marrying was the only way to be together. We divorced eventually and I met my lovely second DH, so all turned out well for me in the end. How much more sensible to give living together a try before marrying. Doesn't always work out, of course. I know a couple who were together for several years before marrying and split one year after the wedding. There are no guarantees!

Those who got married at 16 and are now celebrating their golden, silver., etc., anniversaries might want to breath a sigh of relief!

I think it's very valuable to make very early marriages clearly illegal in the UK.
I don't really see the point in getting married/civil partnerships until children come along or if you've tried living together first tho.

One size doesn't fit all !

I will agree with that statement but think this is a sensible move. Does this just apply in England?

Aren't pupils supposed to stay in education or training until 18?

I know several couples who married young 18 or younger and they have all had long happy marriages ,mind you the mortality age in some parts of Scotland is only 50 something so maybe they want to just get on with living .My OH was a month past his 20 th birthday whe we got married ,exactly a year after we met ,we've been married 48 years.
Not all young marriages fail just like all the one who marry later.In fact I know more people who split after living together for 10 years or more before marrying and they divorce within months .
One size doesn't fit all !

I was proposed to at 17. I had enough sense to say no. I had an awful lot of living to do before I got married. He eventually moved away and we didn't keep in touch. Even at 18 I wouldn't have been ready to marry anyone.
I think it is a good move. A person is not considered an adult until 18.

I married at 17 ,biggest mistake of my life
People didn't live together then before marriage.if they could .I wouldn't have married .I realised my mistake after about 6 months

Iam64

I’m pleased with this change . It’s unlikely to stop all early marriages but sends a clear messages to those communities who see 13 as old enough to marry their girls off thst legally this isn’t allowed here

The change surely sends the clear message you note.

For myself, I'm delighted we married at 16, but suppose we could have happily married the day I turned 18 - no point really.

Here it is
www.gransnet.com/forums/chat/1321662-Legal-marriage-age

Passed me by too Whitewavemark. I think it's a good thing but as you say the majority live together before getting married, and seem to be older now too.

Oh thanks, I hadn't noticed it!

FYI, there’s an existing thread on this in chat.

Blimey that one passed me by entirely.

Mind you, don’t most people simply set up shop together now before they eventually marry, and presumably parents have no say over that.

So I guess it may be sending a message to those communities that see marriage as the be all and end all for women, but not entirely sure it will work.

But in principle I am for it. But teenagers always know best☺️

I’m pleased with this change . It’s unlikely to stop all early marriages but sends a clear messages to those communities who see 13 as old enough to marry their girls off thst legally this isn’t allowed here