Early Marriage and Positive Social Development
By: Padma Podi Manike
Early marriage refers to a person getting married before reaching the legally recognized age of marriage. This concept can be observed in various countries and regional areas due to different cultural, economic, and social factors. It is timely to analyze how early marriage affects positive social development.
Early Marriage and Educational Opportunities
Early marriage is a major reason for the disruption of education. According to a 2021 UNESCO report, 60% of women who marry at an early age have received less than nine years of education. The disruption of education creates a limitation in their economic and social awareness, negatively impacting both the family’s financial situation and overall social development.
Health and Social Well-being
The adverse effects of early marriage on health should also be taken into account. According to the 2022 World Health Organization (WHO) report, various complications faced by young mothers pose a challenge to the family healthcare system. The maternal mortality rate among mothers aged 15–19 is 28% higher compared to older mothers.
Economic Consequences
Early marriage negatively impacts both family income and the national economy. The International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) reported in 2017 that early marriage results in an annual economic loss of approximately $1.7 trillion. Specifically, the limited access of women to the labor force, lower income levels, and barriers to small business development have adversely affected economic growth.
Social Security and Social Development
According to a 2023 UNFPA report, early marriage has slowed down social protection mechanisms due to its impact on the social context. Taking steps to legally and meaningfully empower women’s rights and roles in society can help establish a more balanced society through new models of social restructuring.
Factors Influencing Early Marriage
As society modernizes, various progressive and regressive social behaviors emerge. At present, early marriage has become a social issue. In Sri Lanka, early marriages can be observed in both rural and urban settings. Factors such as lack of proper education, financial instability in families, lack of parental love, security, and affection, reduced parental attention, technological influences, the rise of new social relationships, negative effects of social media usage, psychological factors, and hormonal influences contribute to early marriage. However, over time, individuals face numerous challenges due to these marriages.
Problems Associated with Early Marriage
Marriage and family life require a proper understanding, and the lack of such awareness in early marriages leads to various long-term problems. The absence of mutual understanding, trust, and cooperation results in conflicts within the family unit. This often leads to domestic violence and cases where husbands become addicted to drugs. Due to inadequate education, securing stable employment becomes difficult, often forcing individuals to engage in low-wage labor-intensive jobs. The lack of stable housing results in living in rented accommodations, further weakening economic stability. Additionally, reduced interactions with family members lead to social isolation.
If a young woman becomes pregnant at an early age, the resulting situation can be highly complex. Some early marriages end in conflict, leading to divorce, which can bring social disgrace to both parties. Furthermore, early marriage can lead to physical developmental issues, malnutrition, weakened immunity, unfulfilled needs and aspirations, mental stress, and societal pressures, further exacerbating its impact.
Recommendations
- Conducting awareness programs.
- Educating parents on the impact of love and security in shaping a child’s life.
- Raising awareness about necessary contraceptive methods to prevent early pregnancies among young brides.
- Establishing family counseling services.
- Providing necessary services to maintain mental health.
- Ensuring economic stability through self-employment or vocational training.
References
- UNESCO. (2021). Global Education Monitoring Report.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Adolescent Health Data.
- International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW). (2017). Child Marriage: Economic Impacts.
- UNFPA. (2023). Child Marriage and Social Development.
