starfish42 opened this issue on Sep 25, 2007 · 116 posts
XENOPHONZ posted Wed, 26 September 2007 at 1:28 AM
File this one under Shocking Strange Facts of History: at the founding of the US in 1776, the AOC was 10 (that's right - ten). IIRC, AOC wasn't raised to 13 until the 1830's, although I'd have to go look it up. AOC was later raised to 16 (in the late 1800's), largely through the tireless efforts of moral crusaders of that era.......people who likely wouldn't be very popular nowadays. But those people saw an AOC set at 13 as being evil -- and an excuse for older men to take advantage of young girls.
Actually, the 'adult at 18' thing is a recent societal determination. I strongly agree with it, BTW. But I'm honest enough to admit that historically speaking: it's relatively new among mores.
Of course, when one considers that many people didn't live much past age 35 in former eras, then the custom of getting married at age 12 might make more sense.