Early marriage Essay Example For Students

Early marriage Essay Early marriage is the marriage of children and adolescents below the age of 18. Causes:According to UNICEFs Innocenti Research Centre, the practice of marrying girls at a young age is most common in Sub-Saharan African and South Asia. There are specific parts of West Africa and East Africa and of South Asia where marriages before puberty are not unusual. However, the Centre also notes that marriage shortly after puberty is common among those living traditional lifestyles in the Middle East, North Africa and other parts of Asia. Marriages of female adolescents between sixteen and eighteen are common in parts of Latin America and Eastern Europe. As early marriage is widely practiced in developing countries, a global issue has arisen as to whether early marriage does really hinder self development due to the consequences it brings to young girls. The practice is believed to bring several benefits to some extent. However, the adverse effects it brings can impede the self-development of young adolescences in many aspects including health consequences, character building and education as well as career opportunities. 1. 2Purpose of Research The main purpose of this research is to discover students’ opinion about early marriage. Do they agree with early marriage or not. The second goal is to know whether early marriage brings either benefits or harms to students. Even though early marriage is already becoming a social norm in the third world countries the society still does not fully aware of this phenomenon. Thus the third goal of this research is to increase the awareness of the society regarding early marriage. 1. 3Method of Research For the purpose of this research, relevant information was obtained from internet and books. This report is divided into several parts such as background information, factors that lead to early marriage, advantages and disadvantages of early marriage, as well as either early marriage can impede self development of young adolescence or not. A set of questionnaire will be distributed to 35 SAM student of INTI International University College. Some of the questions are using 6-point Likert scale, as it is the best measurement scale to gain people’s response without anyone sitting on the fence (Faculty Senate Advancement of Teaching (AOT) Committee, 2004). An interview also will be conducted as part of the research techniques. 2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT EARLY MARRIAGE. 1. Terms and Terminologies Oxford Advance Learners’ Dictionary (2006, page 481 and 941), defines early as near to the beginning of a period. Meanwhile, marriage means the legal relationship between a husband and wife. In short, early marriage means the legal relationship between a husband and wife at the beginning of their youth life. (Oyortey, N Pobi, S 2003) They also defines early matrimony as any marriage that take place before the party involved is at least 18 years old (Oyortey, N Pobi, S 2003). . Statistical Studies of Early Marriage 1. Prevalence of Young Marriage The practice of young marriage is most common in developing countries (United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 2001). As reported by Joyce (2001), the analysis made by Demographic and Healthy Survey data shows the countries which face most cases of early marriage are Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asian regions. Among the countries that have high cases of young marriage, Niger is the most distinctively affected country with 88 percent of the women married before the age of 18. Adapted From: Joyce, L. F. , et al. (2001). Future Options Foreclosed: Girls Who Marry Early. Reproductive Health and Rights. 139-143. Retrieved January 25, 2008, from the World Wide Web: http://www. path. org/files/RHR-Article-14. pdf. 3. Major Factors That Lead to Early Marriage The reasons leading to the immense number of youngsters that marry in most developing countries varies. Poverty is one of the main factors underpinning early marriage (Joyce, 2001). A young girl is regarded as an economic burden to a poor family, thus early marriage is considered as a strategy for economic survival. A recent study of five very poor villages in Egypt shows that young girls are being married off to much older men from oil-rich Middle Eastern countries for family survival (UNICEF, 2001). Besides, early marriage is one way to vouch that a girl is secured from physical and sexual harassments (UNICEF, 2001). Many parents from different beliefs and customs regard that early marriage is essential to safeguard their daughters from these abuses. For instance, some families in Northern Uganda encourage their young girls to marry militia members in order to secure protection (UNICEF, 2001). Furthermore, as reported by Mathur in her report, they emphasized that gender roles is one of the main causes of the occurrence of early matrimony. (Mathur, S, et al 2003) A study conducted shows that in major culture of the developing countries, the transition age of a girl from children to adulthood are not meant for them to find their own personality. Whereas, all the experience they gain during the time span of being adolescence are only for them to be prepared for matrimony (Mathur, S, et al 2003) Additionally, another factor that contributes to early spousal elationship is because of the fear that the girl may lose her virginity before she gets married since many regard it as the paramount attribute to a girl’s esteem. (Mathur, S, et al 2003) A survey had revealed that early marriage was considered as a solution of pregnancy outside of marriage. (Huq and Amin, 2001 as cited in Mathur S et al, 2003) And in the third world countries, marriage shortly after puberty is commo n among those living traditional lifestyles (Joyce, 2001). 2. Opponents’ Views Against Early Marriage 3. 1 The Denial of Education The opposition of early marriage believed that early marriage denies the right of young adolescents especially for female to the education they postulate for self-development. In traditional societies, the investment for a girl’s education is thought to be wasted as the girl is going to marry and stay at home doing household chores (UNICEF, 2001). For instance, Demographic Health Survey data collected from Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan had shown a clear link between marriage and withdrawal from school (UNICEF, 2001). A girl will drop out from school, if a good marriage prospect arises (UNICEF, 2001). Because of the early end of female education, they will have constricted chances of enhancing skills and acquiring knowledge, restricting their economic and career opportunities (Joyce, 2001). This is because withdrawal from school will results in functionally illiterate and unskilled women causing them to have no perceivable part in many professional field. 2. Health and Reproduction Problem Those who are not in the favour of early marriage had argued that early childbearing which always occurs in early marriage endanger the lives of both the mother and her baby (Joyce, 2001). The early pregnancy increases the risk of complications and dying during delivery. A report shows that the risk of death due to pregnancy-related cases is doubled among women aged from 15 to 19 compared to adult women (Adhikari, 2006). They further stressed that these girls are also more susceptible to sexually-transmitted diseases (UNICEF, 2001). A girl is physiologically more inclined to contracting HIV/AIDS, based on the idea stating that a girl vagina is still not yet well protected with protective cells and her cervix may be more easily eroded (Oyortey, N Pobi, S 2003). For instance, in some of the worst affected African countries, teenage girls are being infected at a rate of five to six times greater than those of young men (Oyortey, N Pobi, S 2003). 3. Psychosocial Disadvantages When early marriage takes place, the girl will be confronted by some, if not many, emotional stress. Sociologists suggested that this is due to their confinement at home because of the endless household chores hence denying them of their freedom (UNICEF, 2001). Most of the girls that are affected by the aforementioned situation will eventually have negative effects on their emotional well being. An Indian research conducted in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh found that the spouses of early marriage usually suffered from great psychosocial damage (UNICEF, 2001). Another concern raised by the opponents is that the young girl loses her social life outside her family cycle and this will affect her chances of cultivating her own identity (UNICEF, 2001). The most important implication of this is that her self-esteem is silently hindered from being developed and this will make her vulnerable to sexual and physical violence. In Eastern Africa for instance, a young wife has no rights to refuse sex to her husband even though her partner is suspected with HIV (UNICEF, 2001). 4. 0 Proponents’ Views on Early Marriage 4. 1 Health Benefits The proponents believed that body functions are more effective and healthy at early stage in life. For women, the body is particularly geared towards reproduction during early adulthood (Orsi, 2001). Early marriage is beneficial because desire and energy from young couples produce healthy offspring. The Tempest and Dreams EssaySome of the cases were caused by love and arranged marriage but it is not as significant as compared to the cases that are caused by premarital sex. Sex outside of legal marriage is the major contributor to early marriage. He added that in Malaysia, a few steps have been taken by the government in order to reduce the problem. Under Malaysian Law, youngsters who want to get married must be at least 18 years old for male and likewise 16 years old for female and both of them must have permission from the court. Also, for Muslim, Malaysian government will provide them with courses regarding marriage, before and after marriage. This is to enhance the relationship between those who had married so that divorcement can be somewhat prevented. When Encik Eizzul was asked this particular question, â€Å"which one is more important, practising early marriage in order to hold back the teenagers from committing sin or not practising it due to the consequences it bring? †, he answered it depends on the youngsters itself. But from his point of view, some Muslim scholars had agreed that it is permissible to the teenagers to masturbate, only after he or she had tried to control himself or herself but still cannot put their sexual desire on hold. But still, by doing this, it is far much better than getting married and then put a hole on the family institution, hence leads to social deterioration. Encik Eizzul also expresses his disagreement towards the statement â€Å"early marriage restrict the bride’s mobility and cause them to less socialize. † The term socialize has a big meaning and not only restricted to social life with bachelors only. There are a lot of organizations for married women such as organizations for mothers, organization for wives and many others. So, based on his explanations, the statement is not quite true. Finally, Mr Eizzul ‘Ala concluded that early marriage brings more harm than good to youngsters nowadays because of unhealthy consequences that it brings to them. 8. 0 Conclusion In short, the practice of early marriage in our society today does hinder personal development of individuals in terms of health, character building and intellectual qualities. First, a girl is more susceptible to diseases and complications when sex intercourse takes place between the spouses occur at an early age. Early pregnancies followed by childbearing can also bring harm to the girl by increasing the risks of dying and complications during delivery. The loss of mobility and social life due to the early marriage will result in lack of self esteem and great emotional stress. In addition, limited education is obvious among those who marry early. The findings, which is the interview and survey that had been conducted has a contradict results with my hypothesis. Most of the respondents as well as the person that I had interviewed disagree with early marriage. This is maybe because of the background of my respondents. Majority of them were Chinese so they may have different way in viewing this matter. Parenting skills may have a great impact to the children in seeing the world. There are also some possibilities that the place where my respondents grew up affect the result. The value from urban area might be different with the value from rural area. Nonetheless, the results of my findings are in the same line with results from other research which is scholarly. Therefore, the practice of early marriage is proven to hinder personal development and should be reduced among young adolescents especially in developing countries with high incidence of young marriage. 9. 0 Bibliograph |Adhikari, R. K. (2006). Early Marriage and Childbearing: Risks and Consequences. | |62-64, (Online) Available from: www. ho. int/ reproductive-health/ publications/towards_adulthood/7. pdf. (Accessed: 14th January| |2008) | |Faculty Senate Advancement of Teaching (AOT) Committee, (February 2002). Available from: | |http://oregonstate. edu/dept/senate/agen/reports/aot. rep. html | |(Accessed:12th December 2007) | |Joyce, L. F. , et al. (2001). Future Options Foreclosed: Girls Who Ma rry Early. |Reproductive Health and Rights. 139-143. (Online) Available from: http://www. path. org/files/RHR-Article-14. pdf. (Accessed 25th | |January 2006) | |Judith K. M. , (n. d). Marriage A Thing of the Past? (Online) Available from http://www | |. islamonline. net/iol-english/dowalia/society-27-12/society1. asp. (Accessed 14th January 2008) | | | |Kermalli, Y G. , (May 2006). The Community on Friday Importance of Early Marriage in Islam (Online) Available from: | |http://www. worldfederation. org/ Secretariat/TConFri/Tconfri_EarlyMarriage. htm. (Accessed: 12th February 2008) | |Mathur, S et al (2003). Too Young To Wed, The Lives, Rights, and Health Of Young Married Girls. Available from: http://www. | |icrw. org/docs/tooyoungtowed | |_1003. pdf (Accessed: 19th October 2007) | |Orsi, M. P. (October, 2001). A Case for Earlier Marriage. (Online) Available from Ignatius Press: | |http://www. catholicculture. org. docs/. (Accessed 29th January 2008) | |Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary, 7th edition, English level: Upper- Intermediate to Advance, 2006, Sally | |Wehmeier,California, USA. (page 481 and 941) | | | |Oyortey, N. Pobi, S. , (2003). Early Marriage and Poverty. (Online) Available from | |http://www. eenet. org. uk/key_issues/gender/emarriage_poverty. pdf. (Accessed 27th November 2007) | | | |United Nation Children’s Fund. (2001). â€Å"The Impact of Early Marriage On | |Children and On Society†. Innocenti Digest 7- Early Marriage Child Spouses. | |(Online), March 2001. (Online) Available from: http://www. unicef-icdc. rg/publications/pdf/digest7e. pdf. (Accessed 3rd January | |2008) | 10. 0 Appendix 10. 1 Interview Question Interview Questions for Investigative Study: 1) Based on your personal experience handling the early marriage and divorc e cases between young couples, is early marriage gives more harm or benefit to the youngsters nowadays? 2) What are the factors that contribute to early marriage? 3) What can be done by the government to curb the practise of early marriage? ) From your opinion, which one is more important, practising early marriage in order to hold back the teenagers from committing sin or not practising it due to the consequences it bring? 5) Some people claims that marriage at an early age restrict women mobility and hence they will have fewer friends. They also tend to be stressful since they lost their happy-youth time and have to serve their husband at such age. How do you feel about this? 6) What are your personal views on the practise of early marriage among the adolescents? 10. 2 Survey Questions My name is Muhamad Nur Farhan Muhamad Fadzil; ID No: I 07007006. Currently I am studying South Australian Matriculation Programme at INTI International University College. I am conducting a survey regarding marriage at an early age for my English as Second Language Research Investigation Studies. I am concerned with the practice of early marriage at most of developing countries and its consequences towards young adolescents. I sincerely appreciate your cooperation in completing this questionnaire. All views will be kept confidential. 1. You are: Male Female 2. Age: _____ 3. Where is your hometown? Urban area. ] Rural area. 4. What is your race? Malay Chinese Indian Punjabi Others 5. How many siblings do you have? 1-2 None 3-4 Other (if any) 5-6 |Very important |Important |Neutral |Not important |Not important at all | |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 | 6. How vital is it for you to graduate from university? 7. When do you think is the best time to get married? ] Now After tertiary education After high school Don’t know During tertiary education Never |Strongly agree |Agree |Somehow agree |Somehow |Disagree |Strongly agree | | | | |disagree | | | |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 |6 | Please select and circle the response category that best represents your reaction to each statement 8. Marriage can change a person for the better. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements when adolescents marry at 18 or younger? They would Strongly Agree Somehow Somehow Disagree Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Disagree 9. Have more friends. 1 2 3 4 5 6 10. Face health problems (early 1 2 3 4 5 6 Childbearing, early pregnancy, HIV and AIDS). 11. Not need for education. 1 2 3 4 5 6 12. Have financial problems. 2 3 4 5 6 13. Have more marital stressors. 1 2 3 4 5 6 14. Have too many family 1 2 3 4 5 6 responsibilities and no time for education. For question no 16, if you agree, please proceed to the next question, if you disagree, please proceed to question 21. 15. Do you have any experience regarding early marriage? (Yourself, relatives or friends) No Yes, please describe the experience__________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ________________ ____________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 16. How long does the couple’s relationship survive? _______ Years. 17. Is the couple happy with their situation now? Yes. No. please states the reasons. ____________________________________________________________ ________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ________________________________ 18. When the couple decides to get married early, are there any obstacles? No Yes 19. What are the obstacles? Parent’s disagreement Financial constraints Others. (Please states the obstacles below) ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ________________________________ 20. In your opinion, do you agree or disagree with early marriage? (Please express your opinion) ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _______ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ _______________ _____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________