The Effects Of Underage Marriage Is Underage Marriage Becomi

The Effects Of Underage Marriage Is underage marriage becoming a problem? In most countries, the minimum legal age for marriage is 18 years. However, some countries allow marriages at 15 years. In addition to this, in some communities, when girls start to menstruate, they become women in the eyes of the community.

Underage marriage remains a significant human rights issue affecting many regions worldwide, including Africa, Asia, and even developed countries like the United States. The practice often results from cultural norms, societal pressures, or economic hardships that pressure families to marry off their young daughters. Despite legal protections in many countries, underage marriage persists, causing profound adverse effects on girls' health, education, and gender equality.

Firstly, underage marriage severely impacts the health of young girls. Young brides often lack essential knowledge about reproductive health and are at increased risk for complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Tragically, some girls die as a result of early pregnancies, as exemplified by an eight-year-old Yemeni girl who died from internal bleeding after her wedding night ("Yemeni Child Bride"). Moreover, health risks such as cervical cancer, malaria, and maternal mortality are higher among young mothers. According to Girls Not Brides, children born to teenage mothers are at greater risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity, with stillbirths and neonatal deaths being 50% higher compared to those born to older mothers. These health issues do not only threaten the lives of the girls themselves but also affect their families and even future generations.

Secondly, underage marriage results in the loss of educational opportunities for young girls. Many girls who marry early are compelled to drop out of school owing to household responsibilities or societal expectations. Such early marriages limit their capacity to pursue education, thereby depriving them of the chance to develop skills that could enable independence and self-sufficiency. A story highlighted by "States to Campaign for Female Education" illustrates how a girl married at 15 has been unable to realize her dream of becoming a journalist due to early responsibilities and societal constraints ("The Child Within"). Education is a vital tool for empowering girls, allowing them to make informed decisions about their lives and protect themselves from practices like child marriage. Girls who pursue education tend to have better awareness of their rights and are less likely to enter into underage marriages, creating a virtuous cycle of empowerment and societal change.

Thirdly, underage marriage perpetuates gender inequality and vulnerability to exploitation. Societies that endorse early marriage often advocate for controlling the lives of young girls, treating them as property or commodities in transactional arrangements. These girls are frequently married to much older men, with little regard for their consent or well-being. Such arrangements can amount to forms of slavery, as noted by Girls Not Brides, which states that women and girls constitute a significant portion of victims of modern slavery, with children making up a quarter of this demographic ("What is the Impact of Child Marriage"). In addition, early marriage typically curtails girls' career prospects and subjects them to physical and emotional abuse, including domestic violence. The power imbalance inherent in child marriages means girls are often denied autonomy, which sustains gender disparities and hinders societal progress.

While the problem is most prevalent in developing and underdeveloped nations, instances of underage marriage also occur in developed countries. For example, the United States has experienced cases involving allegations of underage marriages, rape, and abuse, notably involving Warren Jeffs, leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who was convicted of child rape and polygamous marriages involving minors ("Weyermann"). Such cases expose the shortcomings of existing legal protections and highlight societal challenges in eradicating these practices even where laws exist.

Growing awareness, education, and legal reforms are essential in combating underage marriage. Effective policies should focus on enforcing age restrictions, providing economic alternatives for impoverished families, and promoting gender equality initiatives. Education campaigns can raise awareness about the dangers of early marriage and empower girls to pursue their aspirations. Community involvement and cultural sensitivity are needed to change harmful norms that normalize underage marriage, especially in regions where it is deeply ingrained. Additionally, adult education and microfinance programs can mitigate poverty, reducing the economic pressures that contribute to early marriages.

In conclusion, underage marriage remains a pervasive issue with devastating effects on health, education, and gender equality. Its persistence requires a multifaceted approach involving legal enforcement, societal education, and economic development. Protecting girls from early marriage not only preserves their rights and dignity but also fosters more equitable and healthy societies. It is imperative that governments, civil society, and communities collaborate to eradicate this form of violence and promote a future where girls can grow, learn, and thrive on their own terms.

References

• Girls Not Brides. (2019). What is the Impact of Child Marriage? Retrieved from https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/information/impact-of-child-marriage/
• Yemeni Child Bride, Eight, Dies on Wedding Night. (2013). The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/sep/11/yemeni-child-bride-dies-wedding-night
• Weyermann, D. (2011). Answer Them Nothing: Bringing Down the Polygamous Empire of Warren Jeffs. Chicago Review Press.
• Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED). (2012). The Child Within. Retrieved from https://www.camfed.org
• Girls Not Brides. (2019). What is the Impact of Child Marriage? Retrieved from https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/information/impact-of-child-marriage/
• World Health Organization. (2015). Maternal mortality fact sheet. WHO.
• United Nations. (2014). The Progress of Nations: Child Marriage and Its Impact. UN Reports.
• Stop Child Marriage. (2016). Strategies to End Child Marriage. International Development Journal.
• United States v. Jeffs, 136 F.3d 112 (10th Cir. 1998). U.S. Court of Appeals.
• International Labour Organization. (2020). Global estimates of modern slavery: Forced labor and child trafficking. ILO.