Stout was engaged by Unchained at Last to perform an analysis of the economic impact of child marriage in the United States. Child marriage occurs when a minor marries another minor or an adult, and most states have laws that permit child marriage under certain circumstances.

In its analysis, Stout estimated that the quantifiable annual cost of child marriages is at least $37.6 million. The cost includes $5.2 million in mental health costs and $32.4 million in public assistance costs. Child marriage is linked to several significant financial consequences that were not quantifiable at the time. These unquantifiable costs included, but were not limited to, the reduced labor productivity and lower earnings potential coming from higher dropout rates in high school / college, the negative financial effects for women resulting from an increased probability of divorce, costs associated with abuse and domestic violence cases, and increased social services costs surrounding mental health issues and court proceedings connected to the child marriage.