Early marriage, usually understood as a marital union where one or both partners are under the age of 18, remains a significant problem in many parts of the world. The causes for this prevalence are cultural, economic, and social, but early marriage often leads to long-term challenges, including an increased likelihood of divorce. Divorce, on its part, comes with its own social, economic, and psychological consequences on the couple concerned, more so in cases of early marriage. This paper looks at the implications early marriage has, as well as the ills that come with divorce.
Causes of Early Marriage
- Cultural Traditions: Early marriage is deeply rooted in the cultural or religious practices of many societies; it is believed to protect a girl’s honor or offer a type of social security by the family.
- Economic Factors: The majority of poor families will marry out their daughters to lessen the financial burden or even welcome a dowry.
- Lack of Education: Due to not having sufficient access to education, many young people have become ignorant and without means of resistance against early marriage pressures set by society
Consequences of Early Marriage
- Health Risks:
- Child marriages pose these mothers at risk of early pregnancies, thus raising complications during childbirth and the risk of maternal deaths in young mothers. Additionally, babies of young mothers are more exposed to health risks such as high infant mortality rates and low birth weight.
- Educational Setbacks:
- Young brides are likely to experience school dropouts, which will limit their capacity to seek self-improvement and future career paths.
- Financial Disparity:
- In most cases, child marriage translates to financial instability, especially for women, since they tend to possess no employment skills or basic education.
- Emotional and Psychological Harassment:
- There are stress and conflicts due to the emotional strain that comes into couples at young age and unpreparedness to maintain marriage responsibilities.
The Connection of an Early Marriage with Getting Divorce
According to several studies, early marriages are the most likely to result in divorce than late marriages. There are a few reasons for this trend:
- Absence of Emotional Maturity: Teenagers are often immature and thus are unable to deal with the responsibilities of marriage..
- Economic Pressures: Young couples are likely to face economic dependency which becomes the source of fights.
- Young People have No Much Experience: Partners in an early marriage may realize they have different aspirations in life and thus may struggle at the union.
Preventing Early Marriage and Reducing Divorce Rates
- Education and Awareness:
- Increasing access to education for girls and boys helps delay marriage and equips them with the knowledge and skills needed for stable relationships.
- Economic Empowerment:
- Providing economic opportunities to families can reduce the financial pressures that drive early marriages.
- Legal Interventions:
- Enforcing laws that set a minimum age for marriage and raising awareness about these laws can discourage child marriage.
- Counseling and Support Services:
- Offering premarital counseling and ongoing support for young couples can strengthen their relationships and reduce the likelihood of divorce.
The issue of early marriages and the nuances of divorce that follow them have severe consequences, not only on the individuals, but also the society at large. Achieving progress in tackling the causes of early marriage and dealing with its aftermaths for its victims requires the intervention of various factors including education, empowerment, law, and working with the society. Societies need to provide the support system enabling the youth to develop sound relationships, ensuring a bright future for the society.
