Saudi Arabia may ban marriage for girls below 18, a government minister said after a case of an eight-year old girl marrying a man more than 40 years her senior drew international criticism and embarrassed the kingdom.Saudi Arabia may ban marriage for girls below 18, a government minister said after a case of an eight-year old girl marrying a man more than 40 years her senior drew international criticism and embarrassed the kingdom.

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Sounds like progress to me but possibly 16 years´ old would be a more realistic age.  It will be very interesting to see if this ban actually comes about.

May ban? Pffff...how sick one can be to force an eight year old into a marriage with a 40 year old? And what a scumbag you must be if you take a child to be your wife. Obnoxious lusty old prick! I hope Saudi WILL ban such marriages. It makes me sick just to think that law may allow abusing children. It´s not middle ages anymore, is it?

Found this map of age of consent around the world.

Then there is this on marriageable age.

In some places females mature very young, so limiting their marriageable age to 18 doesn´t seem reasonable to me.

I think 16 is a  more reasonable lower limit.

The acceptable age of consent for me is 16, at that time most people are able to handle sexual activity emotionally, make use of contraception and be aware of all possible risks that may occur.

However, the marriageable age should be 18 at least. In most countries 18 marks also the voting age or "theoretical/legal" adulthood. People at 16, no matter how adult or mature they may consider themselves to be, aren´t mature. And it´s not a matter of country you grow up in, it´s a matter of your psyche. Sometimes the circumstances require you to act mature against your nature, but it´s not real maturity, one achieved by living and gaining experience. I don´t think the state should deprive people of their chance to grow up. Let sixteen-year-olds stay at school and complete secondary education rather than marry and breed.

Getting married does not, and should not, prevent continuing education.  I have Turkish married friends where the wife is getting her PHD....he works to support the family, and her continuing education.  They have a child who the father takes to daycare.

You couldn´t of said it any better..+++1

 So...you think they should be able to have sex, but not able to get married?  Of course, I don´t agree with that.

 +1..... it seems like legalised peadophilia to me

Yeap. Having sex is not as big a deal as getting married. At least it doesn´t have legal consequences. Marriage is supposed to last for a lifetime and I believe that when you´re 16 you should focus on getting to know the world and yourself, think about your future, educate yourself, not make a life-long contract. I can´t see why people should marry at 16, if they´re in love or, if you prefer, their parents consider them to be a good choice for each other, they will be in love or still well-matched in two years. Things change very fast with teens, the odds are they may be totally different people at 18. If they still feel like they did at 16, let tem get married. Why hurry things and risk that they may change their mind? Besides, I find it ridiculous that a 16 year old might be allowed to marry but not make decisions about his/her country by voting. In the US they wouldn´t be able to drink alcohol until 21 if I´m not mistaken. I don´t understand Alameda, why you insist on letting teens marry while they should be exploring who they are.

In the past people married younger but life expectancy was then about 40. Nowadays it´s some 30 years higher. People finally have the time to grow up not only physically but also mentally before committing themselves to marriage. (I think even 18 is too young to marry )

 My sentiments exactly.... 16 is far to young to get married and if it is for the rest of your life as it is meant to be, then it is most probably for a long long time!  I married young (2 and although I am still married to the same person, I would not recommend it that young. 

I also find it incredible that in some countries you can get married but you can´t drink alcohol, drive a car or vote (in the UK for instance!) Age of consent is 16, car driving age is 17, voting age is 18. 

As for Saudi, too right the age for marriage should be at least 16 (I actually agree 18 is better - why the rush??) "marriage" under the age of 16, yes it is legalised paedophilia and that is abhorent, disgusting beyond belief and what´s more it is supported by Western countries who keep Saudi "on side".......  pfffffff