VIEWPOINT | No, South Dakota state senators didn’t vote in favor of child brides
Guest column by Norman Woods, Family Voice
Are you tired of the campaign attack ads yet? It’s impossible to open social media without seeing a crazy accusation, and the latest doozy is a string of texts and mailers claiming that South Dakota state senators voted in favor of child brides. What they actually voted for was more parental involvement, judicial safeguards and telling Bill Gates to take a hike.
Here’s what really happened.
Last year, a group connected to The Gates Foundation, Feminist Majority Foundation and American Atheists, among others, introduced a piece of legislation that would prohibit anyone from getting married until they are 18. Right now in South Dakota 16- or 17-year-olds can get married if there is written consent given by their parents – a safeguard to ensure someone isn’t being forced into a marriage.
