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

A new federal initiative is aiming to curb child marriage, a practice that was previously legal in all 50 states. While 17 states have already enacted bans since 2018, South Carolina still allows 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent. This federal push underscores the growing recognition of the severe issues linked to child marriage, including long-term social, economic, and health consequences for the victims. The effort to standardize stricter regulations nationwide could significantly impact these vulnerable populations and set a more protective legal precedent.