Question

Find a developing nation in which child marriage is common. What is the age of legal marriage in that country? Is child marriage legal in that nation?

Why might parents in that country agree to early marriage, even if it is against the law?

What would you recommend, should be done to prevent early marriage in your chosen country?

Answer 1

The developing nation where child marriage is common in India. India is located in the Indian subcontinent in south-central Asia. The legal age of marriage is 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys. India is home to a multilingual and multi-ethnic society. Within India, child marriage is most commonly observed in the state of Rajasthan and Bihar in India.No, the child marriage is not legal in India. The act that governs is called 'The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.'This Act defined a male child as 21 years or younger, a female child as 18 years or younger, and a minor as a child of either sex 18 years or younger.

Child marriage has been an issue in India for a long time. It has roots in the traditional, cultural and religious protection.The stronghold of Patriarchy, the influence of class, and caste, the norms, and expectations around the role of women and girls in India are important factors that drive parents towards the decision of early marriage of their children. On top of all this, there is rampant poverty in this country. Most importantly, the marriage is considered the important ritual in the life of an individual and involves expenses such as dowry. This may lead the parents to marry off their daughter at a young age to reduce these costs.The girls are seen as an economic burden and marriage transfers the responsibility to her new husband.

Another factor is controlling girls and women’s sexuality through the practice of child marriage. Parents of the girl child feel pressure associated with dishonor and improper female sexual conduct. Early marriage aims to minimize the fear of dishonor often leading to marriages arranged around the time of puberty.

I would recommend that programmes should be run to tackle the poverty efficiently. There should be strict punishment for offenders and awareness should be raised to induce behavior change.