Early Child Marriage

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Culture comprises one of the primary elements of preparation to life in the society. This is one of the most important factors of social development. Cultural norms and customs are the regulations of individuals’ conduct in the society; linking individuals while preserving relations. Customs enjoy the force of antiquity and hence ought to be obeyed irrespective of the rationale behind. The continued practice of early child marriage has largely been due to the ideologies of the society concern along with the backup given by religion to some extenChild brides can still be found in every corner of Kilifi County. As much as this happens to boys and girls, the girl child is more affected by it as she is the vulnerable gender needing protection…show more content…
The society enjoins this practice and any deviations therefrom are not welcomed, as much as they negatively impact the individuals’ life and the development of the society 1.1 Historical background early child marriage The problem of early child marriage is not new to the world at large and it dates back to the beginning of culture in the human society. Early child marriage is a usage and custom which has culminated into culture. This usage and custom is a way of life and thus its negative impact on the society is neglected irrespective the consequences arising therefrom. Religion is an integral part of culture and it codifies the norms of behaviour such as the five precepts of Buddhism or the Ten Commandments in Christianity. However culture is not synonymous to civilization as the two are different facet of the same phenomenon. Child marriage is linked to child betrothal, during the ancient and medieval times it was common for young girls to be betrothed at or even before puberty. As Friedman claims, "arranging and contracting the marriage of a young girl were the undisputed prerogatives of her father in ancient Israel." Most girls were married before the age of 15, often at the start of their puberty. In the middle ages the age at marriage seems to have been around puberty throughout the Jewish…show more content…
It is a social practice which entered the written record in the 12th century. Early and child marriage has been a prevalent practice at different points in the history of almost all societies around the globe, including Europe, the United States and the Middle East. The contemporary practice of early child marriage in Kenya is rooted in rigid societal norms and serves to boost long-standing social inequalities and power

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