Genealogy Chat
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Youngest Marriage and Parenthood?
| Profile | Posted by | Options | Post Date |
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Shani | Report | 23 Feb 2005 16:13 |
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The age of consent during the early Victorian period was 12 years of age and I appear to have stumbled upon one such union in my family tree. The youngsters married at 12 and became parents at 14, has anyone experienced the same? |
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Jenny | Report | 23 Feb 2005 16:27 |
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I have a groom aged 14, in 1852 married in Glasgow. I can't find a record of the marriage and was assuming all kinds of scandal due to the age. Could you tell me if this was legal at that time? They don't appear to have had any children for at least two years though. You definitely win the prize for this! |
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Shani | Report | 23 Feb 2005 16:36 |
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In 1861 Parliament passed the Offences against the Person Act confirming the age of consent at twelve, while the 1875 amendments to the Offences Against the Person Act raised the age of consent to thirteen. However these laws were designed to safeguard only the very young or the very wealthy. Girls over the age of thirteen and poor women faced a hostile legal establishment that was more concerned with preserving the accused men's reputations and social standing. In theory any woman had a right to protection under the law, but in reality the victim's character and status affected the court's consideration of her reliability. The Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885 was brought about due to the scandal of child prostitution and raised the age of consent to 16. So, yes marriage at an early age was possible for early Victorians and it probably came about as a result of fiscal reasons as opposed to loving relationships. |
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Jenny | Report | 23 Feb 2005 16:49 |
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Thanks Shani, I often wonder what sort of a life my ancestors had. Some of the records give a picture of awful circumstances for families but particularly women. I can't imagine being married and having children at such a young age - it's hard enough now! Jenny |
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Shani | Report | 23 Feb 2005 17:00 |
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Women were indeed vulnerable during that time, they had few legal rights at all, and any prosecutions had to be taken out privately. So for any prosecutions, separations or funding from errant spouses, these women had to go to charitable organisations for assistance. Fortunately some existed and records show an appalling catalogue of sexual abuse of children, often by lodgers, leaving them infected with venereal disease. The main society in the London area was one called the Associated Society for the Protection of Women and Children. |
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