Child Marriage Essay

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Child marriage is a popular practice in India and Middle Eastern countries. It is defined as “a formal union before the age of eighteen” (unicef). In some cases the husband can be more than twice the age of the young girl. The median age of women at the time of their marriage is starting to increase, although this primarily includes women in higher income families. Seen as taboo in western countries, the practice is common in rural towns in places like India and Yemen. As a result of the marriage many young girls get pregnant, which is a serious health risk due to their underdeveloped bodies. The practice of child marriage takes away a young woman’s right to an education and also poses serious health risks. Arranging a marriage for a young girl is a simple way for the family to collect dowry money. For families living in poverty this is something they looked forward to since the birth of their daughter. Furthermore, having one less mouth to feed makes supporting the remaining children less demanding on the parents. In addition to financial reasons for the practice, in times of war an arranged marriage is a way to ensure that the child bride remains safe and out of harms way. An important aspect of most religions is purity. “The very idea that young women have a right to select their own partners—that …show more content…

After being married they no longer receive an education and are not expected to get a job. Aside from the physical abuse associated with child marriage, the loss of an education is the most difficult for girls. Rukhambai, a victim of child marriage wrote,“This wicked practice of child marriage has destroyed the happiness of my life. It comes between me and the things which I prize above all others—study and mental cultivation” (Aljazeera). The countries where child marriages are common are also the ones where females are seen as lesser

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