Irreparable consequences of child marriage on mental and physical health of girls

What is an illegitimate child and what are its consequences?

In every corner of the world, there are still children who, instead of enjoying the sweet days of childhood, inadvertently enter a path they do not belong to: marriage. Although human societies have made significant progress in the field of children's rights, the heavy shadow of harmful traditions still remains on many young girls.

The girl who was drawing with colored pencils yesterday, has to bear the burden of living together today. This bitter reality not only deprives children of their freedom, but also leaves irreparable consequences on their mental health and personality development. In this article from Pirouzi Psychology Clinic, with a closer look at the phenomenon of early marriage, we try to reveal the hidden dimensions of the problem of child marriage and examine its long-term damages.

Definition of a wife's child from a scientific and psychological point of view

Marital child refers to the formal or informal marriage of a person who has not yet reached legal age and mental, social and emotional maturity. This type of marriage is rooted in cultural, traditional or economic pressures, rather than based on conscious choice and real satisfaction.

In child marriage, the girl or boy is still in the stage of character development and mentally, emotionally and cognitively, he is not ready to accept the responsibilities of married life; As a result, this phenomenon can lead to serious mental health problems, reduced self-esteem, anxiety, depression and communication disorders in the following years. (Saroukhani, Baqer. 1382. Sociology of the Family, Volume I. Tehran: Soroush Publications.)

Unfortunate effects of child marriage on the health and future of girls

One of the most serious consequences of marrying at a young age is the early exposure of girls to high-risk pregnancies; A condition for which their body is not yet physiologically and psychologically prepared. These people are often exposed to domestic violence, forced sexual relations, and physical and psychological abuse. Also, the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV, is higher in them than peers who are not yet married.

On the other hand, early marriage in most cases leads to girls dropping out of school; A factor that deprives them of personal, social and economic growth opportunities. While education can transform girls into informed, independent and capable women, childhood marriage blocks this path and keeps them in the cycle of poverty, dependence and helplessness.

The reasons for the formation of the phenomenon of child marriage

Marriage at a young age is not limited to a specific geographic region or culture, but is a global issue that takes root in societies with gender discrimination in the shadow of unequal social structures. In this section, we take a look at the factors that are the basis of child marriage:

1. Gender discriminatory structures

In environments where women and girls do not have the same social and legal status as men, a girl child is often considered as a burden on the family. In this traditional view, marrying girls at a young age is considered a way to get rid of responsibility and control over "family honor". On the other hand, girls who grow up in such an environment suffer from weak self-esteem and think that the chance of marriage will be lost as they get older.

2. Harmful beliefs and traditions

In many societies, early marriage of girls is considered normal and even honorable; Because with the beginning of physical maturity, they are considered as mature women and the duty of wife and mother is imagined for them. Repetition of these beliefs from generation to generation causes the continuation of this cycle.

3. Economic pressure

In families that are involved in chronic poverty, the marriage of young girls is sometimes considered as a way to reduce expenses or even obtain financial benefits. Some of these families think that marriage can guarantee the girl's economic security; While often, it brings him into a new cycle of deprivation and dependence.

4. Social insecurity and violence

In areas affected by war, immigration or instability, parents worry about the physical health and sexual safety of their daughters. In such a situation, marriage is considered as a way to protect against external dangers; A decision that appears to be made out of compassion, but actually takes away the girl's future from her.

How to deal with child marriage?

To reduce and prevent the harmful phenomenon of child marriage, a series of coordinated measures should be taken at different individual, family and social levels. Strengthening the foundation of the family through teaching life skills, promoting emotional literacy and educating a generation aware of children's rights are among the first and effective steps in this direction.

Also, promoting values such as respecting the independence and individual identity of children, raising awareness through the media and schools, and more closely monitoring the implementation of child protection laws can reduce the occurrence of these types of marriages. On the other hand, it is necessary to impose serious punishments on those who play a role in facilitating or implementing marriages under the legal age, so that this obscene behavior can be controlled at the community level.

Conclusion

Marriage at a young age, whether officially or in the form of family agreements, when one of the parties has not yet reached the age of 18, is not a conscious choice but a form of damage whose consequences can last for years. This problem, especially in less developed areas, continues to take victims and the lives of many children undergo psychological, emotional and social crises.

Pirouzi Psychology Clinic is ready to provide counseling and psychological interventions in the field of injuries caused by child abuse by using its specialized team; Both for parents who are worried about their child's future and for people who have experienced these difficult situations.

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