Reasons of Child Marriage - A Social Menace

Child marriage is a legal or informal marriage between two people where one or both people are under the age of 18. This menace affects girls more than boys. According to the statistics, 12 million girls get married before the age of 18. India has the most child brides in the world - more than 10 million - followed by Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Brazil.

Reasons why this happens:

• Gender Inequality

In a lot of communities where child marriage is a common norm, there is often partial behavior between girls and boys. Girls are generally seen as a burden on the family and by marrying her off early - parents are able to transfer that burden to her husband's family. These values are driven by patriarchy and the desire to control women and their choices. Many families continue to pay close attention to how the daughter is interacting with the opposite sex and whether her virginity is protected or not.

• Tradition

In some cultures, it is considered a tradition to get a girl married as soon as they menstruate. The tradition has been followed by so many generations that it is difficult to break away from it. In their eyes, girls become women as soon as they start to menstruate, and therefore, they should take up those responsibilities as well. These traditions are seldom questioned because they have been part of society for so long, it almost becomes like their identity.

• Poverty

More than half of the girls from the poorest families in the developing world are a victim of child marriage. When poverty comes into play, families and at times, even the girl herself believes that it's better that she gets married so that her future is secure. Investing in a daughter is often seen as an expense while spending on a son is seen as a worthwhile investment. In a few cases, the marriage of a daughter is also a way to repay debts, settle any social or political alliances, and manage disputes. Furthermore, in communities where dowry is paid, it is often considered as a new way of income for families. And when a bride is young and uneducated, they often have to pay less.

• Insecurity

Many parents feel that getting their daughter married at an early age is often in her best interest, as it prevents her from getting sexually or physically assaulted. In cases of violence and poverty, child marriage is seen as the perfect coping mechanism for the whole family. Most countries with a high percentage of child marriages are considered as fragile states.

By: Kiara Sharma

School: Mahaveer Public School

Class: 10th