WHY EARLY MARRIAGE?

WHY  EARLY MARRIAGE?

Written by Annosike A. Mercy



The high rate of early marriage particularly girls has reached it's alarming proportion. Everybody wants to rush into marriage and some are being pressurized and convinced by their parents without proper preparation spiritually, physically, academically, emotionally as well as psychologically. Marriage is not a bed of roses neither is it for the weak. This is the reason why we must especially the females if possible acquire proper knowledge about what marriage is all about mostly from the experienced ones with less regards to what is being displayed in Nollywood. This act is most especially seen in the rural areas and underdeveloped settings.

Early marriage is an informal union where one or both parties are under the age of 18. It is the marriage where either or both are under aged. Just like stated earlier, this kind of marriage doesn't just take place, it's sometimes either been planned by parents, either caused by tradition or the victim (girl).

 In view of this, there are certain reasons why this union takes place: One of the prevailing factor mostly from the side of parents is Poverty as the see their girl Childs as people who can't lift their family out of cycle of poverty or even lessen their financial burden. So out of not being able to take care of their educational and material need. In other to achieve this parents reduce the dowry with the mindset that the husband to be has more responsibilities to do for the girl.

Some traditions, norms and beliefs in some societies believes that once a girl child starts menstruating that means she's due and matured for marriage and set to start motherhood. I'm some they believe that she is supposed to get married when she's still a virgin without being defiled as it will help maximize her child bearing days. This reasons has led some girl Childs into their early grave sometimes during child birth as some lives in pains and agony and possibly seek another chance to make better choices. Out of bearing the shame of carrying pregnancy out of wedlock, therefore their parents pushes them out to go stay with the responsible being.

Inorder to survive and take care of their childs health when they're sick they tends to push their girls into early marriage. This is mostly seen among people who lives in underdeveloped areas,  sometimes it could be that there's no money to buy drugs nor take proper medication. Survival in most families of 12 or even more is very difficult, feeding, clothing and shelter is very difficult as education too is Never an option for children in that family at such parents tends to push out their girl Childs into early marriage just to help lessen the burden of the family.

Honestly, all these and lot more has caused parents to push their young girls most especially into early marriage and loose their beautiful dreams not actualized. It has harmed the development and well-being of youngsters through limited education opportunities, social isolation, violence as well as contacting some contagious infections. The parental responsibilities on the girl Childs is not easy, taking care of her children mostly the first issue and how to take care of herself after child birth without experience. 

She's overburdened with several domestic work, lacks maturity to handle Life and it's numerous challenges, instability, Deprived of youthful life, inability to take care of her children, mental illness as they suffer psychological abuses, increase risks of miscarriages, high rate of divorce as well as prevent them from making their own life choices, disrupt their education, subject them to violence and discrimination, and also denies them full participation in economic, political and social life. 

Voices should speak on behalf of every girl Child against the pressure of early marriage from parents, they are of great importance. An enlightenment programme should conducted mostly in the rural area. Parents should be educated that the era of girls not being able to lift their family out of cycle of poverty, woman are changing their family lives from worst to better, girls are doing great things.

Furthermore, community development is very important as it helps sharpens the peoples perspective about the girl Child and marriage life. Provision of basis amenities, job creation and opportunities, skill acquisition center, building schools etc. 

Conclusively, government, NGO's, community, institutions, etc should enforce legal framework. They should help set policies to help eradicate early marriage that harms the girl child. There should be complaint centers where girls can run to for help as well as guidance and counciling support teams.

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