[Prime Choice]

When one states that 14-year-old should be able to marry and work, that -- to me, at least -- says that they should have not only their choice of spouse, but choice of vocation.

And yes, that includes even the unsavory vocations.

And the legal age of working in porn is 18; the age of majority. Lower the age of majority and guess what happens.

Perhaps I have been too confrontational in my original message (#4), but my point stands. I have grave reservations about anyone championing child marriage as I believe such is a recipe for child exploitation.

[twinzmommy]

I see your point . . I really do. But I'm not talking age of majority. *shrugs* Really though, two separate issues no?

First being age to work. Under that age to work in specific industries (porn, dangerous ones etc etc etc) I'm in Texas -- 15 year olds can work. But I do believe that 18 is the porn industry age here. I think in some other states it may be 21.

Second being age to marry -- which varies by state. Texas I think you can be younger with parental consent, but I don't know the specifics.

Honestly, I don't believe there can be any one hard and fast rule for everyone. Guidelines are there for a reason, but even the courts grant exceptions (the cases of emancipation of minors for example).

Please don't take that as me disagreeing with you. At 15, I was raped by a 26 year old man. At the time, I didn't consider it such, but I do now. And have since around my 26th birthday, when the magnitude of HIS actions hit me. 14 and 15 year olds in today's world are young, for the most part.

There will always be exceptions. My husband (csconerd) and I happen to be an exception to the rule as far as young marraige. There will always be some like us. There will probably always be more that fall apart. Then there will also always be the Kara Borden's *sighs*

I think my biggest issue is the 18 year old one -- they can vote, go to war, shoot a gun. . . but no alcohol? *boggles*

[Chickensoup]

I believe such is a recipe for child exploitation.

I don't like child exploitation either. I just think that one stops being a child at 14... we differ.

[Oztrich Boy]

Lower the age of majority and guess what happens.

The age at which people are able to legally marry or work has not coincided with the age of majority in the history of western civilzation. Why should it start to do so now?