Teenage Marriage – 06 main Causes, Implication, Why should it stop?

Teenage Marriage – Teenage marriages have long been prevalent throughout cultures and continents. However, in recent years, these weddings have been shown to be a poor social practice. While various cultures have differing perspectives on the subject, the couple’s immature biology indicates numerous risks and consequences. Altogether, Several countries have implemented minimum age requirements for marriage. It is worth noting that various countries have set different requirements for men and women. Furthermore, many nations have varied age standards, which adds to the misunderstanding concerning the appropriate marriage age.

Causes Of Teenage Marriages

Essentially, we’ve all heard about cases in which two youngsters eloped to marry out of love. In addition to romantic inclinations, there are various additional factors that contribute to teenage marriage. Marriage has long been seen as a social institution for reproduction and family formation.

However, no clear recommendations exist for the appropriate age and developmental stage for marriage. This puts those who marry too soon at risk of mental and bodily distress. Despite the risks, underage weddings continue to occur across the world. Let’s talk about the reasons why teenagers marry. 

• Poverty: Families experiencing financial trouble may consider child marriage as a solution for reducing their financial burden, as marrying off a daughter is thought to lower the number of dependents.
• Gender Inequality: In certain societies, developed gender inequality and conventional gender roles encourage the practice of child marriage by depicting girls as a burden and prioritizing marriage above education.
• Lack of Education: Insufficient access to education, particularly for girls, increases the risk of child marriage because illiterate parents may not see the value of educating females and instead favor early marriage.  
• Cultural Traditions: Traditional norms and cultural beliefs contribute significantly to the perpetuation of child marriage, since it is frequently viewed as a method to preserve traditions and social prestige, particularly in rural communities.
• Humanitarian Crises and Insecurity: There is a clear link between child marriage and humanitarian crises, since families may view it as a means of dealing with heightened economic or food insecurity. 
• Teenage Pregnancy: Marriage was originally designed to simplify the process of raising children. A married pair has several social, legal, and emotional advantages over two single people. Furthermore, with the mainstream of dating and premarital sex, the likelihood of risky sex behaviors has grown. Most countries throughout the world still fail to give awareness and basic sex education. This has resulted in an increase in adolescent pregnancies. Many civilizations require pregnant adolescent couples to marry in order to provide secure parenting for their unborn kid. According to such civilizations, this protects the family’s social structure across time. 

Implication Of Teenage Marriages 

As previously said, teen marriages continue to grow owing to complicated variables and many causes. Despite their prominence, they continue to have a negative impact on persons who marry early. One of the most serious consequences of early marriage is its influence on sexual and reproductive health.

Teen pregnancy, in particular, can provide serious health hazards to the mother. Teenagers are at danger of obtaining STIs and other issues owing to their immature minds and bodies. Aside from that, the emotional and mental toll of being a parent at a young age is underestimated. It causes disorder for both parents and children. 

Furthermore, early marriage exposes girls to different sorts of violence and exploitation. For starters, they are more likely to be burdened with household duties and childrearing, which can lead to financial reliance. In situations when girls are married off young to older men, they are frequently subjected to verbal, physical, and sexual abuse.

Why Should You Stop Teenage Marriages? 

In essence, teenage marriages cause disruption and maladaptation in both the families and the people involved. Stopping adolescent marriages can result in higher maturity, better parenting, and family skills. It also minimises the burden on the economy by allowing youngsters to seek jobs and contribute financially.

Furthermore, adolescent marriage typically widens the gender gap by forcing more females to stay at home to care for the children and the house. Instead, delayed weddings allow women to develop in their education and careers without being pressured by society. 

Finally, the most serious disadvantage of early marriages is the influence on the physical, emotional, and mental health of adolescents. Marriages can place unnecessary strain on early pregnancy and forced parenthood, for which teenagers are not prepared. However, sometimes it may increase chances of miscarriage.

Conclusion

In short, underage weddings are the outcome of a complicated combination of economic, religious, and societal forces. Individual circumstances such as a lack of education and financial resources keep them in practice. Early marriage is related with a higher risk of physical and mental illness. It is critical to manage and decrease teenage marriages. Families must be trained to realise the negative consequences of such relationships. For expert advice, get in touch with our professionals as kamarth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the legal marriage age in most countries?
Answer: Marriage is normally legal at the age of 18, however, it may be permitted earlier with parental or court authorization in some areas.

Question: How does teenage marriage affect education?
Answer: Teenage marriage frequently disrupts education, resulting in inferior academic attainment and fewer job options.

Question: What are the health risks associated with teenage marriage?
Answer: Teenage marriage raises the likelihood of problems during pregnancy and labour for young mothers.

Question: What are the societal consequences of teenage marriage?
Answer: Teenage marriage can result in social isolation and increasing responsibilities, compromising both social and emotional well-being.

Question: How can communities help avoid teenage marriages?
Answer: Teenage marriage can be prevented in communities by education, legal enforcement, and support programs for at-risk youth.

Reference Links:-
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3000061/
https://econweb.ucsd.edu/~gdahl/papers/early-teen-marriage.pdf
https://www.unicef.org/india/what-we-do/end-child-marriage
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341366161_An_Analysis_of_Early_Marriage_Determinant_and_Its_Impact_on_Women’s_Reproduction_Health