Common Core State Standard L.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.
05/21/2018
Child marriage legal in most US states
Long-standing laws and loopholes have kept some forms of child marriage legal in every U.S. state — until now. Delaware just fully banned child marriage. In most states an underage marriage involves a combination of permissions from a parent and a judge and sometimes proof that the girl is pregnant. While the U.S. State Department considers forcing a child into marriage a human rights violation, it has happened here.
■Class discussion: Should children ever be allowed to marry? Why or why not? If a child is not allowed to sign a contract, how could they decide on entering a supposedly life-long marriage commitment? Is religion more important than the welfare of children? What hazards does a person face if they are married as a child? Is there ever any reason to force anyone into marriage? How common is child marriage around the world and in the United States?