Despite the progression of society and human rights, there are still numerous outdated laws that remain legal within the United States. One law, in particular, that’s a revolving controversial topic is child marriages throughout various states. More recently, the state of Missouri has found itself under fire after it was revealed that child marriages will remain legal in the state for at least another year due to Republican House leaders failing to ban the law.
Child Marriages In Missouri
Missouri is one of the only states where child marriages are still legal. According to Missouri law, individuals as young as 16 years of age can legally marry with parental consent, while children younger than that are required to obtain judicial approval. However, efforts to change the outdated law within the state have been met with a handful of challenges. Last month, the GOP-controlled state Senate passed the legislation unanimously but hit a roadblock as the bill stalled for weeks in a House committee. Fast forward to today, the House committee eventually passed the legislation, but during a press conference, House leaders shared that there wasn’t enough time to finalize the bill.
Outdated Laws Across The U.S.
Despite Missouri being in the hot seat right now, these outdated laws are not limited to the state. In fact, it is a widespread issue that stretches across the country. Plenty of these laws remain in place, with many citizens being mind-blown that the legislation is still being enforced. Here are a few examples that highlight these laws:
-Martial Exemption for Rape
Believe it or not, in many states, some laws give exemptions regarding marital rape under specific conditions. These legislations, which originate from past times when women were seen as their husband’s property and lived without rights, have not been outlawed everywhere despite marital rape being seen as a serious crime.
-Cohabitation Laws
Another outlandish law that’s still in rotation in some states, including Florida, Michigan, and Mississippi. is the prohibition of unmarried couples living together. Though these cohabitation laws are rarely enforced, they still uphold outdated societal norms regarding marriage and relationships. The law derive from when society dictated men and women living arrangements. These laws were created to promote and protect traditional family values, marked by religious and cultural beliefs that viewed cohabitation without marriage as immoral.
-Horse Theft Penalties
Horse theft remains punishable by severe penalties, including death. Despite horse theft not being a major issue today, these laws are still very much legal. Historically, horses were seen as invaluable assets, providing transportation and agriculture while essential in daily tasks. Back then, stealing a horse could lead to serious consequences that heavily impacted an individual’s livelihood and even resulted in cruel punishments such as death by hanging.
-Blue Laws
Have you ever visited a state and realized you couldn’t do certain things on Sunday? Well, you can thank the “blue laws” for that. The law was originally set to encourage church attendance and rest on the Holy Day. The “blue laws” often limit the sale of alcohol and restrict some retail operations. While these regulations were once a common occurrence, they are now seen as conflicting with the modern-day lifestyles of society.
-Billboard Ban
As of 2024, Alaska, Maine, Vermont, and Hawaii stand out as the only states to ban billboards to preserve the natural landscapes and scenic beauty the states offer. By prohibiting outdoor advertisements, these states aim to enhance the aesthetic experience for residents and visitors and reduce visual pollution. Although the state of Hawaii enforces this ban, there are still some special cases where billboards can be displayed. State officials allow billboards to be put up solely on the property where the advertised item or service is sold.
Nevertheless, these outdated laws highlight the difference between what was acceptable in the past and what people believe today. Of course, changing these legislations will not be easy and would require a lot of work, but with a strong push from politicians, an updated future is not out of reach.
