Posted on October 22, 2008 in latest news
Legally, one can marry at the age of 18 in most countries. The law ensures that under age children do not marry as it is bad for their physical and emotional health. Yet child marriage is prevalent in many countries. Many young girls get married very early even before the completion of their education. In many of the developing and less developed countries the practice of child marriage is quite rampant.
Why is child marriage bad ?
- Emotionally, the child is not mature. Marriage entails a lot of responsibilities.
- Physically, the child is not developed. Sex at an early an early age can affect the body systems of the child.
- Discontinuation of education does not permit the child to develop emotionally and physically. Many young girls are forced into marriage at 13 years of age, and they do not enjoy going to a school or college.
- Increased risk of infant mortality and maternal death. Girls who become pregnant at an early age suffer from health problems and are not equipped emotionally to bring up a child.
- Economic dependence of the girl on the husband makes her vulnerable to exploitation. The problem of rape within marriage is quite common. Several incidents go undetected as the victims are afraid to report the matter to the police or discuss it with their family members.
Where is Child Marriage Prevalent?
- In poor and backward nations it is quite rampant. The educational and opportunities available in the job market are low in these countries and many feel marriage is a safe bet.
- In many countries like India it has been and continues to be more of a social practice, as parents consider a girl to be a social and economic burden on them. They prefer to get her married early, so that they can shift their responsibility on to the husband.
- In Africa, Middle East and Asia child marriage is due to high level of poverty and lower levels of economic development.
- Effects of Child Marriage Eradication
- In East Asian countries such as South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan, the practice of child marriage has been successfully eradicated. These countries have benefited in several ways:
- More economic growth and better opportunities
- More employment and educational opportunities for girls
- Decline in birth and death rates
Child marriage is a serious social problem and needs to be tackled at grassroot level. Respective governments should ensure that girls are married off at the legal age, rather than at an early age, when shouldering responsibilities is difficult. Social activists have been trying very hard to eradicate this social practice.
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