Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

A new law has gone into effect in the state of Missouri that now makes it illegal for a seventeen-year-old girl to marry a twenty-one-year-old man. That was the situation for Cindy and I forty-nine years ago. According to the statutes at that time, we were allowed to marry after her mother signed our application for a marriage license.

That is now illegal. Let me explain my problem with this new provision. I was graduating from college. Cindy had another year of high school to go. I did not know if I would be moving after graduation. We planned our wedding, got married, and moved to Joplin two weeks later with three days’ notice.

Missouri law today states that my girlfriend and I could move together, but not as man and wife. Missouri has legalized living together outside of marriage, but not as a married couple. Legislators, did you consider this when you approved this bill?

There are a lot of words in what you voted for. Did you read them all? I am sure your aids and advisors showed you the parts that protect the underage. This was your main purpose. However, someone removed language from the previous law that allowed parents to let those between sixteen and eighteen be married, provided the parent signs the marriage application.

Missouri law has already removed the parents’ rights to prosecute an adult who has sex with a seventeen-year-old. Seventeen-year-olds are not allowed to have other adult responsibilities. But with your supreme wisdom, parents cannot allow them to legally marry, but they can just move in together.

Cindy’s mom knew that we could cohabit legally if we wanted to. She allowed us to do it with the approval of the state. You have taken that away from decent, God-fearing young people. You should be ashamed.

My assemblyman and state senator who voted for this will never receive my vote again unless this is changed in the next session. I know that you drag your feet until someone makes you do something, and it is usually your political bosses. Guess what? We, the voters, are your real employers.

My intention is to advocate for the firing of every person who failed to see the effect this error would have on our young people. Yes, many of them already live together. You took away their right to do it morally. Someone told you this was a good idea. They were wrong. I hope you understand that now.

You’ve pissed me off one last time. Fix it or lose your elected positions, and do not expect us to forget that you do not care about those of us that you claim to want to help. We have longer memories than elephants. We don’t all have political Alzheimer’s as you hope.

©Copyright 2025 by Charles Kensinger