I didn't leave it out its just that I've read similar threads before and am aware of the circumstances surrounding the marriage of Charlie & Eunice. Its not really a good example of abuse by child marriage because they did wait until she was 16 (legal age in their state) before having kids. BTW, she stayed married to him for over 60 years until his death. I think if it were my family, I would not be too happy with a bunch of online posters calling my deceased family member a child rapist when that is not what occurred. Since I am aware of the situation, I figured I'd bring that to the table so the record is straight on the issue.

FWIW - within my own family my grandparents were married at 15 & 23, respectively. Nobody has ever claimed that my grandmother was "raped" or otherwise forced into some cover-up marriage. She was already pregnant at the time they were married, had 3 additional children, and stayed married until my Grandmother passed at 81. She wasn't a "helpless wife" either - she became a District Manager for a large corporation and my Grandfather owned a successful business. You have to remember, in that time period it was considered almost the ultimate sin to have a child out of wedlock and some communities even shunned these people and their children.

There is no question that marriage law has been abused to cover for child rape. I'm not even debating that. I think 10 is WAY too young for any adult to be engaging in that behavior with a child.