Saying they were powerless to stop the marriage, Windy Hager's parents signed the required consent form so their 16-year old daughter could marry her 40-year old high school track coach, Brenton Wuchae. Married on June 25, 2007 in North Carolina, the relationship started when Wendy was 14 and a freshman in high school.
Although the comments on the GMA report of the marriage range from anger, outrage, and disgust to sympathy and understanding, a large majority of people who voted in the ABC Poll thought that the authorities should have prevented the May-December marriage.
ABC News: "With most teenagers, they're not sure yet who's who and what's what and what should be done," said Henry Paul, author of the book Is My Teenager OK? "It's obviously up to the adult figure to set the boundaries."
2007-06-28 00:52:27 · 16 answers · asked by ? 3 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
Damn, that's one pedophile who knows how to keep it legal.
2007-06-28 00:58:41 · answer #1 · answered by Peety J 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A teenager is not mature enough to get married. Marriage is not something to be rushed into. Even when you're 18, 19, 20, etc., I think it's too young to get married. I got married at 18 and divorced at 22. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but looking back, I definitely should have waited. I also missed out on a lot of the "college experiences" like living in the dorms and such because I was married and lived with my husband. (It can work sometimes, but more often than not, it doesn't.)
The age different in this story (16 vs 40) is horrible. From my personal experience, when I was 15 I was dating a guy that was 24. At the time, I saw absolutely nothing wrong with it. I thought "age is just a number, it doesn't matter!". Now that *I* am 24... if one of my friends was dating a 15 year old I would think he was a total loser that couldn't get a woman his own age. I also know that the person I am today is nothing at all like the person I was when I was 15/16 years old.
Live & learn. But the marriage in the story won't last long.
2007-06-28 08:01:08 · answer #2 · answered by abbyful 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if they have sex isn't that statutory rape? I agree I am 16 and I would never get married until I am old enough to sign the wedding certificate myself. I think if they were TRULY and honestly in love they would have waited at least until she was out of high school. I definitely think parents should automatically say no. Though some spoiled bratty kid [Like Windy...I read the article and it says she withdrew from her family and wouldn't speak to them until they signed the papers] would throw temper tantrums, and threaten their parents I'd still say no way jose! Windy has terrible parents and Windy was a terrible kid to not talk to them because of some stupid 40 year old! She doesn't even know what love is...at least I don't lol...
2007-06-28 08:00:33 · answer #3 · answered by powerpuffcutie24™ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps. But my parents signed a consent for me to get married at the age of 17. My husband was 18. We're still married 33 years later. And yes I was pregnant. We ended up with 5 fantastic sons. Sometimes things do work out.
2007-06-28 07:58:42 · answer #4 · answered by Skatermomof5 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that's absolutely ridiculous and lacks responsibility on the parents part if they give consent. Children of that age are in no way capable of making a decision that's supposed to last for life and parents should know better.
2007-06-28 08:03:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I think the parents should always refuse to sign the consent form...why not just wait until 18 and sign for themselves? Even then, as a parent , I would encourage my child to wait until after college. Why isnt this coach in JAIL?!?!??!?!
2007-06-28 08:07:51 · answer #6 · answered by ~LAX Mom~ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Obviously, someone should have stepped in. Teenagers change they grow and change and become practically different people. They can't make a decision like that at the age of 16. That is sick.
2007-06-28 07:57:51 · answer #7 · answered by Bboitano 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I do. Most teens are not yet mature enough to handle the responsibilities of marriage.They may truly be in love, but that love can go sour when they realize that they no longer have the freedom and carefree life that their peers have.
2007-06-28 08:01:34 · answer #8 · answered by barbwire 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A marriage is a lot of responsibility. I think people should be able to wait until they are a proper age with at least some experience.
2007-06-28 07:57:25 · answer #9 · answered by DARIA. - JOINED MAY 2006 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah i do my little sister is 11 years younger then me and i can not see how she could ever married some one right now. That's sick and the parents need to be put it jail for letting it happen.
2007-06-28 07:58:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
yes i do. there is no excuse for a teen to get married, not even if she's pregnant. teens dont know what they want out of life yet. the relationship is sick.
2007-06-28 07:54:16 · answer #11 · answered by DENNIS 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋