Child marriage and child brides: a sociology project
This video, made as a sociology project, looks at child marriage and child brides around the world. Child marriage is defined as a formal marriage or informal union before the age of 18.
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The scale of the problem
The video sets out the shocking numbers behind child marriage. Around 700 million women around the world were married as children. About 1 in 3 of them were married before the age of 17.
Child marriage is common in many countries, such as India, Niger and Bangladesh, despite laws against it.
Causes and effects
The practice has spread because of growing poverty, cultural traditions, gender inequality and the security that marriage is believed to give a child bride.
Whatever the reasons, the harm is severe. Even basic human rights are suppressed. Abuse and violence are common, especially when the child is young and has had no education. Early pregnancy carries a high risk of complications and death.
Prevention
The video names ways to prevent child marriage or to step in, though none of them is easy:
- Education. Educating girls helps a child understand the world around her.
- Empowerment. It gives girls the knowledge and ability to stand up for themselves and for those around them.
- Economic support. Poverty is one of the main causes of child marriage, so economic support is another way to step in.
References
- Age 10 and Divorced: Nujood Ali and the Fight Against Child Brides in Yemen (Tavaana)
- Al-Eryani, H. "Nada escapes child marriage" (NOW)
- Amber, J. (2008). "Child Brides". Essence, 39(7)
- Arnoldy, B. (2009). "India listens after a child bride says 'I won't'". Christian Science Monitor
- Child marriage (UNFPA)
- Child marriage (UNICEF)
- Child Marriage: What We Know (PBS)
- MEMRI TV video: "11-Year-Old Yemeni Girl Nada Al-Ahdal Flees Home to Avoid Forced Marriage"
- Newman, D. (2012). Identities and Inequalities (2nd edition). New York: McGraw-Hill
- Olson, C. 16 Ways of Preventing and Intervening in Child Marriages (The Pixel Project, "16 For 16" campaign)
- Ore, T. (2011). The Social Construction of Difference and Inequality: Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality (5th edition). Dubuque: McGraw-Hill
- "The Impact of Early Marriage: Domestic Violence and Sexuality" (Breakthrough, 2013)
- What is the impact? (Girls Not Brides)
- Why does child marriage happen? (Girls Not Brides)