Root Cause Of Child Marriage Essay

Child marriage is a very common and dangerous phenomenon spread today, especially in developing countries.

In the following study, I will use root cause analysis, to dig into this serious problem that causes the death of children because of early pregnancy, stress, and domestic violence.

Step One: Define the Problem:

What is happening?

“Each year, 15 million girls are married before the age of 18. That is 28 girls every minute. 1 every 2 seconds.” (girlsnotbrides.org, "about child marriage")

Parents are forcing their children to marry before 18, in results, innocent children are losing their childhood, girls are spending the best days of their lives serving a husband or obeying an unlettered father and hiding behind an unjust society.

Children whose mothers were married early tend to marry early; thus creating generations of child wives.

· Marital instability. Because of the age differences and the attendant poor communication, many early marriages in early divorce or separation.

· Physical and sexual abuse. Out of fear of her parents and the social stigma as well as the poverty associated with being single; many child wives are compelled to remain in a loveless and violent marriage

(hope4childwives.com, "Consequences of early marriage")

Step Four: Identify the Root Cause(s)

The conflict between rich and poor exists since the beginning of time, but its factors changed from a generation to another. Slavery, illnesses, genocides, abuses, rape etc. all these problems are related in a way or another to poverty and lack of resources as well as power holders.

In my opinion, poverty is the main reason for child marriage, it can lead to hunger, lack of resources and access to medical care. Poverty is also the reason which leads to ignorance, the need for financial recourse at any price, even if it is selling girls to an old rich groom.

Step Five: Recommend and Implement Solutions:

Solution and prevention from happening