do you think a 16 year old is mature enough to make a decision about getting married, or having kids?

Neither getting married nor having kids are unnatural, irreversible, destructive acts. And for that matter, people generally don't want 16 year olds to get married and have kids, its something they might do anyway and give support to them when they do, because that's to the benefit of both the individuals and society. Because that's how human biology works. As opposed to trying to support irreversible destruction that violates human biology and reinforces a delusion.

youre telling me marrying a person and having kids with them has never completely and utterly destroyed someone's life? especially a minor's life?
the only ilk who argue for child marriage are regressive conservatives who aim to subvert and control their wives.
young brides become entirely dependent on, and subservient to, their husbands. you are making the same argument that Al Qaeda makes but I guess American conservatives really arent too different from other extremist religious groups.
both groups will do anything and everything to keep their violent extremist traditions alive

Marrying and having children is not inherently destructive, and in fact is the exact opposite, is is the act of creation. Though to modern liberals every new life is just another carbon footprint, right.
Actions can lead to ruining your life or enriching it, without being intrinsically bound to one outcome or the other. Entering into a bad marriage or having children you are unable to take care of, or marrying the love of your life and raising a happy family.
This is not the case for genital mutilation and puberty suppression, which are inherently destructive, an unambiguous physiological harm.

A lot of 40 year olds aren't mature enough.

It was a teenage wedding, and the old folks wished them well
You could see that Pierre did truly love the mademoiselle
And now the young monsieur and madame have rung the chapel bell
"C'est la vie", say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell

They furnished off an apartment with a two room Roebuck sale
The coolerator was crammed with TV dinners and ginger ale
But when Pierre found work, the little money comin' worked out well
"C'est la vie", say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell

They had a hi-fi phono, boy, did they let it blast
Seven hundred little records, all rock, rhythm and jazz
But when the sun went down, the rapid tempo of the music fell
"C'est la vie", say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell

They bought a souped-up jitney, 'twas a cherry red '53
They drove it down to Orleans to celebrate the anniversary
It was there that Pierre was married to the lovely mademoiselle
"C'est la vie", say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell

I dont really understand what you mean by this. marriage and having kids can be great, yes, and for many, those are the two greatest joys in life... but not everyone wants to get married or have kids, especially in today's world. I don't think it fair to judge peoples decisions on this



who are you to judge whether or not it is inherently destructive? gender-affirming care is LIFE-affirming to countless people but that is a separate argument. you're derailing here
we were talking about 16-year-olds getting married and whether children are capable of consenting to marriage or not. what is your position?

before you dodge again;
I do not think anyone below 18 should be able to make decisions about taking hormones

This post was edited by gnarjay on May 11 2023 09:14pm