Which states have the highest rates of underage marriage with parental approval?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the comprehensive analyses provided, Nevada, Idaho, Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Utah, Alabama, West Virginia, and Mississippi represent the ten states with the highest per-capita rates of child marriage in the United States ^{[1] [2]}. This data comes from a study examining marriages between 2000 and 2018, providing a substantial timeframe for analysis.

Additional data from 2014 Census Bureau's American Community Survey confirms that West Virginia and Texas were among the states with the highest rates of child marriage, with approximately 57,800 minors ages 15 to 17 married in that year alone ^[3]. The geographical pattern shows a concentration of higher rates in Southern and Western states, indicating regional trends in child marriage practices.

The legal landscape reveals significant variations across states. Currently, child marriage remains legal in two-thirds of U.S. states ^[2], with only 13 states having banned the practice entirely as of 2024 ^{[4] [5]}. Most concerning, four states - California, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Oklahoma - maintain no minimum age restrictions for marriage when parental or judicial consent is obtained ^[4].

The demographic breakdown shows a stark gender disparity: 86% of minors wed between 2000 and 2018 were girls, highlighting that underage marriage disproportionately affects female minors ^[2]. This pattern reinforces concerns about gender-based vulnerabilities in child marriage practices.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several critical gaps in understanding the full scope of underage marriage in America. While the data identifies states with highest rates, there's insufficient information about the underlying socioeconomic, cultural, or religious factors driving these regional differences. The sources don't adequately explain why Southern and Western states consistently show higher rates.

Legislative momentum appears to be building against child marriage, with 16 states passing bans since 2018 ^[2]. However, the analyses don't provide sufficient detail about what specific advocacy efforts or triggering events led to these legislative changes. New Hampshire's recent ban as the 13th state suggests ongoing progress, but the pace of change varies dramatically across jurisdictions ^[4].

The sources also lack comprehensive data on enforcement mechanisms in states that do have age restrictions. Simply having laws on the books doesn't necessarily translate to effective prevention of underage marriages, particularly when parental or judicial consent can override age requirements.

Economic and social consequences of child marriage receive limited attention in these analyses. While the sources acknowledge the practice's harmful impact on girls and society ^[2], they don't provide detailed information about long-term outcomes for individuals who married as minors or community-level effects in high-rate states.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself doesn't contain explicit misinformation, but it may inadvertently normalize the concept of "underage marriage with parental approval" by treating it as an acceptable practice that simply varies by state. This framing could minimize the human rights concerns that advocacy organizations raise about child marriage ^[5].

The question's focus on "parental approval" might also obscure the power dynamics involved in these situations. The analyses reveal that the vast majority of child marriages involve girls ^[2], suggesting these aren't typically mutual decisions between equal parties but rather arrangements that may not serve the minor's best interests.

Additionally, the phrasing could inadvertently legitimize the practice by seeking comparative data rather than questioning the fundamental appropriateness of allowing minors to marry. The sources consistently frame child marriage as a problem requiring legislative solutions ^{[2] [5]}, not as a practice with acceptable variations across states.

The question also doesn't acknowledge the international context where child marriage is recognized as a human rights violation. This omission could perpetuate American exceptionalism regarding practices that are widely condemned globally ^[5]. The analyses suggest that global leaders are increasingly focused on ending child marriage and modern slavery, positioning the United States as lagging behind international standards rather than leading on human rights protection.