Introduction
Child marriage can be explained as it is an informal marriage or formal union in which one or both of the individuals are at the early age of 18. Certainly, it is a truth for both girls and boys, though girls are extremely more affected. It can be said that one kind of child marriage is the wedding of two persons before the age of 18. On the other hand, it would be the practice of child marriage where parents decide the future marriage of the two parties. In this case, both parties, the girl and boy, do not see each other but meet at the time of the wedding ceremony. Both children meet until they are wed. As well as the law allows the age of 18 for girls as well as 21 for boys to get married. There are several reasons behind child marriage practices. Social norms, gender inequality, safety things about children, control over sexual activities as well as poverty are reasons for the occurrence of child marriage. Other than cultural pressure, the anxiety of remaining single or unmarried, dowry and illiteracy are also the causes of the marriage of the child. Sometimes, it might be a reason for child marriage, such as the lack of ability of women to afford money. In some cultures, it is considered that marriage is the sole choice for a girl to be socially highly regarded.
Discussion
It is considered a social problem when two individuals get married before the age of 18. It is a common perception that it will help protect the rights of girls, but the case is different. It is a violation and destruction of human rights (Parsons et al., 2015, pp. 14). Mostly, child brides become widowed at an early age for the reason that their partners are more mature enough than girls. When the two individuals get married at an early age, their chances of divorce and separation become greater for the reason that children have no idea about marriage at this age, and they do not know about their responsibilities and duties to make this marriage successful. Furthermore, it would be difficult for girls when she became pregnant at an early age and gave birth a baby. At an early age, the girl doesn’t know the exact method of how to manage with the children. She also does not sound familiar with childcare and how to care for the child. At this age, they also need a mentor to guide and direct them in early steps to be successful. In this practice, boys are not wise or capable enough to become fathers. He also feels the burden of child marriage. At this moment, he is not willing to take on responsibilities and additional duties. Differences in age and poor communication put both partners in a troubling situation. As a result, the failure of marriage leads to the early separation of both partners. After separation, the girl faces the various problems of discrimination in society. In addition, she suffers due to financial problems and the disowning of basic rights.
On the other hand, child marriage promotes sexuality. In this situation, girls do not know well about their reproductive and sexual health. They have no awareness of complications related to sexuality. Girls who want to go for family planning may confront the pressure from the side of their husbands or may not be aware that these facilities even exist. Husband pressure will not permit her to take the step for her own good. Due to pressure, she will be unable to raise her voice for her rights. As a result, they experience some pregnancies that cause long-term complications related to health or even death (Psaki, 2016, pp. 115).
The chances of girl to die in giving birth are much when she gives birth a child at an early age. Childbirth, as well as complications in pregnancies, are the main reasons for death in girls. The life of a girl is also at risk when she bears a child while they are still developing. There are high rates of maternal deaths in countries where child marriage is widespread. They are not able to make decisions about health care, nutrition, and house management. If girls have many children at an early age, then it will expose the life of both mother and child to mental as well as other health problems. If girls have awareness about reproductive and sexual health facilities that include family planning as well as education, then they can decide in a better way about having children. As a result, they will be able to decide on the right time to have children. On the other hand, girls are likely to face violence in their marital life. They are not in a position to negotiate about their moralities.
Furthermore, it can also be seen that children whose parents were wedded at an early age prefer to get married early. As a result, it creates some generations of young wives. Most of the girls left school before primary education or never went to school. It makes them dependent or at the mercy of their husbands. Thus, they feel the need of their husbands to do any task in daily life. They will fully depend on their husbands for every little decision. They are not able to be independent due to limited education and child marriage.
Moreover, brides at an early age are both emotionally and physically willing to become mothers and wives. At this moment, they are not prepared to bear this phase of life. As a result, their children will also feel the deficiency of love from the mother’s side. They experience and feel the pain of domestic violence in this way. They are more likely to face poverty due to little availability of economic and education opportunities. The child’s wife is not able to use safer practices for sexual activities to make her happy with both her family and husband. As a result, the risk of getting sexually transferred diseases as well as AIDS/ HIV increases. In this way, there are more chances for girls to have health risks related to childbearing as well as early sexual activity containing obstetric fistula and HIV. Girls who are wed at an early stage may lack power, status, and maturity. Consequently, it will lead them to sexual abuse, social isolation as well as domestic violence. When individuals are wed at an early age, they also miss out on the enjoyable as well as fun moments of teen life. Also, the chores and responsibilities of marital life can advance immature minds. The burden of additional responsibilities as well as household tasks, will retard the mental conditions of children. It will affect the overall development of individuals as well as create stress and tension for both partners.
Also, most of the young girls do not attend school even to get basic knowledge. It is necessary for girls to educate themselves to raise awareness about their rights. Education will provide the opportunity to raise voices about their rights. In addition, education helps to empower girls so that they can contribute to economic activities and earn money (McCleary-Sills et al., 2015, pp. 70). Being married at an early phase in life, there will be fewer work opportunities for young people. As a result, they will not be able to get good jobs due to limited education. In the end, it will also affect the careers of young boys.
Conclusion
Child marriage is not merely a social case but also has economic importance. It causes intense consequences for young brides as well as for their early childhood. It also affects the competence of countries economically in developing and cutting poverty. Child marriage can be prohibited by keeping girls in educational institutes. There must be proper laws and policies to control this practice. Community programs should provide significant support against marriages of the child. It can be controlled by providing economic opportunities to young girls. If there is greater access to education, then it will be a good step to delay marriage at an early stage. Authoritative parties should take steps to address the requirements as well as the needs of young brides. Also, Child marriage stops the learning and education of girls, which ultimately cuts their overall development at an early phase. It also affects their advancement in a career as well as social isolation. Because of child marriage, they may face a threat and fear of domestic violence. The common perception of being wed at an early age is to protect the children. It should be forbidden by providing the rights to children. They are also human beings and have the right to enjoy their freedom. Humans also have the right to develop mentally, physically, and socially. In this way, they can develop and improve their quality of life.
Works Cited
Parsons, Jennifer, et al. “Economic impacts of child marriage: a review of the literature.” The Review of Faith & International Affairs 13.3 (2015): 12-22.
McCleary-Sills, Jennifer, et al. “Child marriage: a critical barrier to girls’ schooling and gender equality in education.” The Review of Faith & International Affairs 13.3 (2015): 69-80.
Psaki, Stephanie. “Addressing child marriage and adolescent pregnancy as barriers to gender parity and equality in education.” Prospects 46.1 (2016): 109-129.
