2.36 EARLY MARRIAGE
The term early marriage began during UN declarations that emphasise young girls should be protected from any form of physical and psychological harm (UNICEF 2001). Early marriage is a cultural practise where Maasai girls as young as thirteen years are offered for marriage usually to men older than them. Low socio-economic status and culture are the motivating factors behind the practice of early marriage (Bunting, 2005)
According to the African Union Commission on the campaign to End Child Marriage, child marriage refers to any marriage where at least one of the parties is below 18 years of age recognising that child marriage is a multi-faceted social-cultural and endemic harmful practice in most parts of Africa which adversely impacts the personal development and future opportunities, health, and wellbeing of children, with detrimental consequences on children, women, families, communities and nations …show more content…
In some cases, virginity is verified by female relatives before the marriage.
2.3.2 Consequences of Early Marriage
2.3.2.1 Psychological implications
The loss of adolescence, the forced sexual relations and the denial of freedom and personal development have profound psychological and emotional consequences this include a girls loss of mobility and her confinement to the home and household roles. Most Maasai girls who are unhappy in an imposed marriage are very isolated. They have nobody to talk to as they are surrounded by people who endorse their situation. The girl’s are usually traumatized and the trauma is regarded as an unavoidable part of life
Girl’s who run home to their parents may be beaten and sent back to their husbands. This distress is generally endured in silence
2.3.2.2 Health and reproduction implications
2.3.2.2.1 Pregnancy and child
The term early marriage began during UN declarations that emphasise young girls should be protected from any form of physical and psychological harm (UNICEF 2001). Early marriage is a cultural practise where Maasai girls as young as thirteen years are offered for marriage usually to men older than them. Low socio-economic status and culture are the motivating factors behind the practice of early marriage (Bunting, 2005)
According to the African Union Commission on the campaign to End Child Marriage, child marriage refers to any marriage where at least one of the parties is below 18 years of age recognising that child marriage is a multi-faceted social-cultural and endemic harmful practice in most parts of Africa which adversely impacts the personal development and future opportunities, health, and wellbeing of children, with detrimental consequences on children, women, families, communities and nations …show more content…
In some cases, virginity is verified by female relatives before the marriage.
2.3.2 Consequences of Early Marriage
2.3.2.1 Psychological implications
The loss of adolescence, the forced sexual relations and the denial of freedom and personal development have profound psychological and emotional consequences this include a girls loss of mobility and her confinement to the home and household roles. Most Maasai girls who are unhappy in an imposed marriage are very isolated. They have nobody to talk to as they are surrounded by people who endorse their situation. The girl’s are usually traumatized and the trauma is regarded as an unavoidable part of life
Girl’s who run home to their parents may be beaten and sent back to their husbands. This distress is generally endured in silence
2.3.2.2 Health and reproduction implications
2.3.2.2.1 Pregnancy and child