When Do Laws Matter? National Minimum-Age-of-Marriage Laws, Child Rights, and Adolescent Fertility, 1989-2007

This article uses a regression analysis to study the effect of marriage laws on poor and middle income countries (particularly the law for minimum age). From this data the authors conclude that countries with a strict law limiting marriage until the age of 18 have a sharp decrease in teenage pregnancy. If a country allows an exception (like parental permission) then the pregnancy rates are identical to the rates of countries with no minimum age for marriage. Therefore, countries should be encouraged to apply strict laws to promote the desired outcomes, namely economic development and an improvement in women’s rights.