What's the reasoning behind canon law marriage ages?

[DarkLight]

I was reading about canon law and I noticed the age of marriage is 14 for girls and 16 for boys. Does anyone know when that was last revised? Is there a reasoning for the lower age of marriage for girls? I imagine young marriages don’t happen too much simply because generally the Church won’t perform marriages illegal in the local jurisdiction.

 

[Vico]

I was reading about canon law and I noticed the age of marriage is 14 for girls and 16 for boys. Does anyone know when that was last revised? Is there a reasoning for the lower age of marriage for girls? I imagine young marriages don’t happen too much simply because generally the Church won’t perform marriages illegal in the local jurisdiction.

Until the 1917 canon law the age above twelve could marry. Then the 1917 Code raised the minimum age for marriage in the Church to fourteen for girls and sixteen for boys (1917 CIC 1067). This recognized that more than reproductive capacity was required.

 

[Phemie]

I think it’s a recognition that girls mature earlier than boys. The age was not changed when the new Code was implemented in 1983 but you’ll note that the second part of the canon 1083 gives the Conferences of Bishops the rig ht to set a higher age. In Canada the CCCB has set 18 as the minimum age for both, but with the caveat that the local bihop can grant a dispensed if deemed appropriate after consultation with the Catholic party’s pastors…

 

[mdgspencer]

I expect that this was established because of the situation in other countries. I just read that St. Rita of Cascia was married at 12. Because of the customs of that place, the Virgin Mary may also have been married at quite a young age.
Whether this has to do with greater maturity at a young age, I don’t know.

 

[Vico]

Until the 1917 canon law the age above twelve could marry. Then the 1917 Code raised the minimum age for marriage in the Church to fourteen for girls and sixteen for boys (1917 CIC 1067). This recognized that more than reproductive capacity was required.

Correction (from 1907):
The marriageable age is fourteen full years in males and twelve full years in females, under penalty of nullity (unless natural puberty supplies the want of years).
Rock, P.M.J. (1907). Canonical Age. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. newadvent.org/cathen/01206c.htm

 

[twf]

The idea that girl could marry at 14 troubles me. I know that’s social conditioning to an extent…obviously it can’t be contrary to Divine Law if the Church allows it. For some reason I could have sworn the canonical ages were 15 for girls and 17 for guys.

 

[buc_fan33]

14 and 16…and remember, Canon Law is written for the UNIVERSAL Church…not just the Church of the modern, western world, which generally means living in developed, first world areas.

Personally, if a 14 and 16 year old couple came to me and wanted to get married, I’d tell them to wait until they were at least 18 and 20, respectively. At a minimum, I’d need parental permission, or a darn good reason why such should not be sought. In fact, on the marriage intake forms in our diocese, and I assume others as well, there is a line that says, “If you are under 21, do your parents approve of this marriage?”

In the United States, where I assume most of us are from, yes, 14 and 16 are too young. In parts of Asia, Africa, or Latin America, perhaps not necessarily.

 

[DarkLight]

I think it’s a recognition that girls mature earlier than boys. The age was not changed when the new Code was implemented in 1983 but you’ll note that the second part of the canon 1083 gives the Conferences of Bishops the rig ht to set a higher age. In Canada the CCCB has set 18 as the minimum age for both, but with the caveat that the local bihop can grant a dispensed if deemed appropriate after consultation with the Catholic party’s pastors…

In any case there’s a general rule that a Catholic church will not perform a wedding that is illegal under civil law without a good reason - and generally in the U.S.and Canada you can’t legally get married under 18. I really doubt that would be seen as unjust or unfair in a way that would justify a marriage that could not be legally performed.

 

[angell1]

The idea that girl could marry at 14 troubles me. I know that’s social conditioning to an extent…obviously it can’t be contrary to Divine Law if the Church allows it. For some reason I could have sworn the canonical ages were 15 for girls and 17 for guys.

well, before about 100 years ago. the average lifespan was about 30, so it does make a bit more sense in that context.

it bothers me too honestly. and no, honestly, I don’t think people were more mature when they were younger back then, but when you had such a short life, and all kinds of diseases, people tend to lose their childhood earlier.

for what it’s worth, it’s probably not something that is put into practice that much.

 

[x1980x]

well, before about 100 years ago. the average lifespan was about 30, so it does make a bit more sense in that context…

The lifespan thing is true but the context does not at all support the idea. The reason that the average lifespan has been around 30-40 for much of history is because of the astronomically high infant mortality rates that were the norm until around 100 years ago. People were not dropping dead of old age en masse at age 35 in the 1500’s. People would reach age 50 or 60 and then be buried next to their 10 brothers and sisters who all died between the ages of 0 and 3.

 

[Horton]

In any case there’s a general rule that a Catholic church will not perform a wedding that is illegal under civil law without a good reason - and generally in the U.S.and Canada you can’t legally get married under 18. I really doubt that would be seen as unjust or unfair in a way that would justify a marriage that could not be legally performed.

Someone under the age of 18 may legally marry with parental permission. Is it wise…probably not…but it is legal.