The shifting boundaries of adulthood: why child marriage remains a global reality
While many view child marriage as a relic of the distant past, it remains a widespread practice affecting millions. From ancient legal precedents to modern economic pressures, the mechanisms that drive early unions are complex, deeply rooted in tradition, and increasingly recognized as a fundamental human rights violation.
Historically, the threshold for marriage was often tied to puberty rather than a fixed age. In the Roman Empire, girls were married at 12 and boys at 14, while in parts of the Middle Ages, English civil laws permitted marriages before age 16. Even in the 16th century, Jewish 'halakha' recognized girls as adults at twelve and a half. These practices were often driven by the need to establish households or fulfill religious duties, with men frequently marrying later once they had accumulated sufficient wealth.
Today, the practice is increasingly categorized by experts as a form of child sexual abuse and a violation of human rights. The consequences are profoundly asymmetrical. For girls, early marriage often leads to interrupted education and severe health risks, as pregnancy and childbirth are leading causes of death for those aged 15 to 19 in developing nations. For boys, the impact manifests as economic pressure to provide for a household and limited career opportunities. While girls are disproportionately affected, an estimated 115 million boys and men worldwide were married as children.
The drivers of child marriage are multifaceted, often involving survival strategies in the face of poverty. Practices like 'bride price'—where a groom pays the bride's family—can create economic incentives for early marriage, sometimes with higher prices for younger brides. Other pressures include dowries, gender inequality, and the desire to protect family honor. While global prevalence is decreasing—UNICEF reported a 25% drop in child marriage rates among young women between 2008 and 2018—the practice persists in many regions, including parts of Africa, South Asia, and even in the United States, where marriage remains legal in 34 states.
Source: Child marriage
