The Problem Of Child Marriage - 1305 Words

Child marriage is one of the most severe violations of human rights that needs attention in India, â€Å"where 46 percent of children are married formally or in informal union before they are 18.† While child marriages affect both genders, girls are affected a lot more since they are a bulk of the victims. They are more likely to be involved in child marriages than boys as 30 percent of girls between 15-19 are currently â€Å"married†, while only 5 percent of boys between 15-19 are â€Å"married†. So why do child marriages exist when families know that the social, economic and human risks are so elevated? The answer is in India’s deep roots in tradition, culture and religion. In India, these wedding are now illegal due to the Prohibition of Child†¦show more content†¦If the children are girls, they are viewed as â€Å"an economic burden† to their family until they are married off. Child marriages are cause by the economics that come with ma rriage, sexuality, gender norms, educational gaps, and age. Child marriage impacts not only the children’s lives, but also of those around them. Especially these young girls that are married off young, before their minds and bodies reach full maturity, become pregnant before they are even ready. In fact, â€Å"child marriage also reinforces the gendered nature of poverty, with limited education and skills bringing down the potential of the girl, her family, her community and her country.† These marriages become a sort of economic deal between the families of the bride and the groom. The family of the bride is passing this burden to the marital family, who then expects a dowry for taking the burden that is this young girl from them. The young girl is then forced to do unpaid household work, while the rest of the family have paid employments. Also, women’s sexuality is controlled â€Å"in order to limit inheritance of wealth and maintain caste purity.† â€Å"Marriage is considered to be ‘safe’ to keep t he girl protected from unwanted sexual advances; without such security, a girl who is unmarried and no longer a virgin, is considered to ruin the family reputation.† This places a high value on the young women’s virginity, even that a forced sexual encounter leaves a