This is a very messed up affair. I was 16 when I got married but I was pregnant and this was in the 60's when you had no choice or go to the home for unwed mothers. If this had been left alone and let it be played out the both of them would have gotten tired of each other and the hassels of the relationship. I speak from experience. BUT since it did come out and so much todoo was made of it the only way to save him was for them to get married. The parents consented to marriage and I don't know why since she was not pregnant. If they were afraid they would lose their daughter if they did not consent to marriage, they lost her anyway doing what they did afterwards.