Poverty
Poor families often resort to practices resembling the sale of their children for marriage. This is typically done to settle mounting debts, obtain financial assistance, or escape their current impoverished circumstances. However, child marriage paradoxically exacerbates the problem of poverty, as girls who marry at a young age are often deprived of quality education and tend to lack opportunities to participate in the workforce.
Customs and Traditions
Research conducted among various groups reveals that one of the primary motivations for early marriage is the desire to uphold the family’s esteemed reputation and social standing. In many cultures, a man’s worth is measured by his children’s success, while the success of women is often evaluated based on their ability to enter into a prosperous marriage, thereby linking their family name with another and strengthening the legacy of both families.
Gender Inequality
Profound societal values and beliefs, the limited worth assigned to girls, and the desire to exert control over women are foundational aspects of child marriage. In numerous communities, there exists an expectation that girls should become wives and mothers, leaving them with scant opportunities for education or employment. Even when job prospects arise, parents frequently dismiss the idea of educating their daughters, believing younger females are more compliant.
Inadequate Legislation
While several countries, including Pakistan, have legislation prohibiting child marriage, these laws are often not enforced. For instance, in Afghanistan, a new law allows various communities to apply their interpretations of family law, which can include the acceptance of child marriages.
Lack of Sexual Education
Despite the vast advancements in modern society, young people often receive insufficient education regarding sexual relationships. Many countries continue to restrict abortion, leading young individuals to marry as a means of evading legal responsibility and punishment, even if one partner is deemed too young to shoulder the burdens of marriage.
A Form of Rebellion
Youths are frequently influenced by contemporary trends and the blind imitation of narratives portrayed in movies and television shows, yearning to emulate young celebrities who recently married. Additionally, they may feel akin to Romeo and Juliet, believing they have found a lifelong love. As a result, they may decide to elope and wed secretly, viewing it as a form of defiance against established norms and regulations.
Honoring Ancestry and Preserving Family Honor
In various tribes and communities, parents believe that marrying off their daughters at an early age symbolizes virtue and serves to protect their dignity. Furthermore, some individuals arrange marriages at a young age to adhere to the deeply rooted customs of their ancestors.
Video: A Child Raising a Child
Early marriage is one of the most pervasive phenomena in impoverished nations. What are the consequences?