Kanaya Nur Nabila

220705049

Creative Writing

CHILDHOOD MARRIAGE TRADITIONS IN INDIA

More than 40% of the world’s child marriages take place in India. Almost half of all girls here marry
before the age of 18 years; 47% of women aged 20 to 24 were married before age 18.

Between 1992 and 2006, the incidence of child marriage in India declined by approximately 7%. In some
states, however, child marriage prevalence still exceeds 60%, with the highest rates found in Bihar,
Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

Child marriage continues to be the norm for a majority of girls despite high-level awareness of the legal
marrying age.The study findings demonstrate that child marriage still prevails as a cultural norm in some
areas in India, where a majority of girls and many boys are married before they reach their respective
legal ages.Most of Indian adolescents said that marriages often take place when girls are aged between
14 and 16 years of age and extremely few girls are married after they turn 18.

The decision to marry the girls is usually made by the girl’s father, or other male members of the family,
either through seeking marriage alliances or organising the marriages. Girls who are married very early
may continue to live with their parents and be sent to their marital home after a few years.

Childhood marriage traditions in India have evolved significantly over time due to legal reforms and
changing social norms. Historically, child marriages were prevalent in many parts of India, with girls
being married off at a very young age. However, in the modern era, efforts have been made to eradicate
this practice due to its negative impact on the physical, emotional, and educational well-being of
children. Here is an overview of the historical and contemporary aspects of childhood marriage
traditions in India:

Historical Context:

- Child Brides: Child marriages were common in various parts of India due to factors such as caste, class,
tradition, and economic considerations. Young girls, sometimes as young as 6 or 7 years old, were
married off to older men.

- Social Norms: These practices were often rooted in societal norms, where girls were considered the
property of their fathers and needed to be married off early to ensure their safety and honor.

- Legal Reforms: Recognizing the detrimental effects of child marriage on the well-being of children,
legal measures were introduced over the years to discourage and prevent such marriages.
Contemporary Situation:

- Legal Age: The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, established 18 years as the legal age for
marriage for females and 21 years for males. This act aims to prevent child marriages and protect the
rights of children.

- Awareness Campaigns: Various government and non-governmental organizations run awareness

campaigns to educate people about the negative consequences of child marriage, including health risks,
education disruption, and psychological stress.

- Empowerment and Education: Efforts are being made to empower girls through education and skill
development, enabling them to make informed choices about their lives, including marriage.

- Changing Mindsets: While child marriage is declining, changing deep-rooted cultural norms can be
challenging. Communities, religious leaders, and families play a significant role in shifting perceptions
about early marriage.

- Enforcement: Despite legal measures, child marriages still occur in some remote or conservative areas.
Enforcement of laws and monitoring continue to be challenges.

- Regional Variations: Practices vary across different states and communities in India. Some regions have
made more progress in eradicating child marriage than others.

- Cultural Practices: While child marriage is generally condemned, some communities may still hold on
to certain traditional practices. However, there is a growing acknowledgment of the importance of child
rights and well-being.

Efforts to Combat Child Marriage:

- Awareness Campaigns: Various campaigns have been launched to educate communities about the
negative effects of child marriage on children's health, education, and overall development.

- Legal Enforcement: Authorities are working to enforce the legal age of marriage and penalize those
involved in arranging or participating in child marriages.

- Education Initiatives: Providing access to quality education for both girls and boys is crucial in
combating child marriage, as educated children and families are more likely to delay marriage and
understand its risks.

- Empowerment of Girls: Programs that empower girls through life skills training, vocational education,
and promoting gender equality contribute to reducing child marriages.

- Community Engagement: Engaging with local communities, religious leaders, and influencers to
change mindsets and norms around early marriage is important.
- Support Systems: Establishing support networks for children who are at risk of child marriage can help
them resist the pressure and seek help.

- Legal Aid: Offering legal aid to individuals trying to prevent child marriages or seeking annulment of
such marriages is crucial.

A tragic story of childhood marriages that occurred in India:

A SIX YEAR OLD GIRL FORCED TO MARRY THE DAUGHTER OF HER RAPIST

This story originates from a six-year-old girl in India who was raped after being locked in a room by a 40-
year-old man. The boy was then forced to marry the child of his rapist. The victim, who lives in
Keshavpura village, Rajasthan state, was allegedly attacked about two weeks ago, as reported by the
Daily Mail newspaper, Thursday (5/9/2013). instead of reporting to the police, the victim's family
complained to the elders council who held a meeting to decide what to do about the rape case.
Surprisingly, however, the elders council then told the victim's parents that their daughter had to marry
the son of the assailant. who is eight years old. The victim's family reportedly refused to accept the
decision of the elders. In this latest rape case in Keshavpura the police only got involved after social
activists brought the victim and her parents to the police station in Mahaveer Nagar City to report the
matter. The perpetrator of the rape has been arrested and an investigation is also underway into the
accusations from the council of elders. "The perpetrator locked the victim in a room and raped her.
Instead of going to the police, the elders from the girl caste called for a village council meeting to be
held," a spokesperson said. police. Rajasthan is one of India's most conservative states, where child
marriage is still relatively common