Text 10731, 39 rader
Skriven 2008-02-07 00:10:41 av Carol Shenkenberger (2463.fidonews)
  Kommentar till text 10658 av Ward Dossche (2:292/854)
Ärende: Re: Myths
=================
    
 > RB>WD>> Now ... what nationality did Jerry Lee Lewis have when he totally
 > RB>WD>> legally married that 12yr old kid? And married her in "which"
 > RB>WD>> country, please?
 > 
 > RB>BA> I think she was 13. I don't know whether people were more upset
 > RB>BA> because she was 13 or because she was his first cousin.
 > 
 > RB> I can't remember the exact age - it might even have been 14 - ..
 > 
 > She was 12 ... in the USofA ... don't try to soften it.

In many parts of the USA, for a time when the country was new, there was no
'legal age' at all although one did not marry a girl who had not yet started
her menstrual cycles.  It was fair game however anytime after that.

As the country 'grew up' the various states added legal ages but some didnt
bother to change much so yes, it's possible at a time 12 was still 'legal'
when I was born in 1960.

I vaguely remember some hue and cry over upping it to 16 from some states and
as far as I know, with parents permission, 16 is still legal in some places. 
In fact, I had a friend in Virginia who was 15 and due to give birth befoe
she turned 16, who got married (legally).  That was 1975.  I didnt like her
husband much (an ancient 18 yo) but they met as fellow victims of the
adoption system and he had to wait til he turned 18 to marry her.  Some final
relative on his side wouldnt allow it so she almost had the baby before they
were married.

I've always wondered how they got on later but have no contact and in fact,
only recall first names.  Danellie was her's and his was Bob.  I have a
'feeling' she outgrew him later, but can't really know.  She was more
'maturely rounded in mind' at 15 than he was at 18.  She had goals, he had
few other than to look good (such was my impression).  I think he may have
turned out to be a fine man, with a little seasoning but this all happened
too early.
            xxcarol
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 * Origin: SHENK'S EXPRESS (1:275/100)