Child Marriage Advantages and Disadvantages

Do you want to know that in many countries marriage is legal at the age of 18 for girls and 21 for boys? Nevertheless, although these laws exist in many states of the federation and at all levels of government, they fail to protect countless young girls and boys from being married before reaching adulthood. Consider a young girl/boy with dreams, not yet ready to fit into the constraints of traditions and expectations, starting their journey even before it has begun. There are many aspects of the social security child marriage can offer, but the hurdles and disadvantages outnumber its advantages. In this piece, we take a look at the murky world of child marriage through its effects on young lives. We look at both the supposed benefits and some of the harsh realities.  So let’s start now.

Advantages of Child Marriage

1. Cultural Preservation

Child marriage has been regarded as a way of maintaining cultural traditions in individual societies. Ancient practice in many societies It is an honour of their ancestors for families to continue with this tradition. This tradition can serve as a form of preservation and give identity to the community, which affects reinforcing cultural values & norms.

2. Economic Stability

In some extremely impoverished localities, child marriage can be a source of economic relief. The marriage of a daughter means the family has one less mouth to feed. The dowry that is given helps in clearing off the debts and upgrading living standards. For many low-income families, this extra money can be life-changing. But all too often, this temporary economic reprieve comes at a major personal cost to the young brides – who have effectively traded away their future options and in many cases remain caught in poverty.

3. Social Security

Child marriage is the protection of young girls in some cultures. It is viewed as a sanctity, offering safety and stability to the minor wife from exploitation and harassment. Marriage gets you a family and that gives security. The hope is to keep the girls safe, but actually, they may not be very well and have much freedom at all when tied to restrictive environments.

4. Strengthened Family Ties

Child marriage reinforces the bond of families and communities. Many societies see marriage as an alliance between families or tribes. It is these unions that can establish their network of solidarity and cooperation! This can create a community and support system to be used later. Although this can be a bright side, the happiness of that person and their freedom play a crucial role in these arranged marriages.

5. Early Adaptation

Children who marry early become adults much faster. Their journey is hard, They do everything that their family and community can provide at a young age which makes them tougher with many available resources. This early adaptation can build talents that are used to cope with the challenges better But this adult-like burdening of our youth so often denies them an opportunity to have a somewhat easier childhood and grow more naturally, impacting their future mental health.

Disadvantages of Child Marriage

1. Loss of Education

One of the big drawbacks to child marriage is that it robs children and adolescents of educational opportunities. Early marriage, which compels millions of girls to drop out of school when they are only children ultimately restricts their job opportunities and keeps them mired in poverty. Education is key to personal and economic development – without it, these young brides are robbed of the opportunity for self-improvement or any chance at breaking out of poverty.

2. Health Risks

Getting married too early is a huge health risk. Adverse health effects of pregnancy and childbirth in girls include life-threatening obstetric complications as they are often too young to be pregnant. It also elevates the danger of maternal and toddler mortality. Also, young brides are at higher risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) since they often have less information and access to healthcare. The health risks involved can be very grave and may affect their overall health in the long run.

3. Emotional and Psychological Impact

Child marriage leaves some deep-seated emotional scars. In reality, young brides are placed under a great amount of pressure and stress that triggers anxiety or depression as they can feel very isolated. Being pushed into an adult mould, before they are prepared emotionally is a recipe for long-term mental health. This lack of emotional support and introspection would only increase their problems, making them more miserable as a consequence that could have been easily avoided.

4. Violence and Abuse

Child brides are far more likely to experience domestic violence and abuse. They tend to have less power and autonomy in their marriages so it can be hard for them to walk away from an abusive situation. Without that control, a person is at risk of suffering and ultimately trauma for the rest of their life. The unequal balance of power in such marriages often leads to the exploitation and abuse of child brides, who are consequently left traumatized for much of their lives.

5. Stifled Personal Development

It also deprives young brides of the vital stage in their development, adolescence – a time when girls should be exploring who they are and gaining independence. The ability to chase their purpose and grow as people is robbed from them. This restriction stunts their growth and is a hindrance to personal ambition and overall long-term fulfilment and happiness in life.

6. Perpetuation of Poverty

Child marriage traps girls and their families in a cycle of poverty by limiting education and economic opportunities. Without an education and job prospects, both the girls of today and their children are likely to be mired in poverty. It is the same cycle of poverty that affects their grandchildren, as each successive generation battles with limited access to education and an overload on economic advancements which keeps them from moving up a class.

Comparison Between Advantages and Disadvantages of Child Marriage