An old thing, yet continues?

Child marriage is not a new issue. It has existed for centuries in various parts of the world and is still common in parts of Asia and Africa. Although it was considered acceptable at one point in time, this concept has grown to develop more negative connotations as time passed. Today, child marriages are not only considered backward but have also become illegal in most parts of the world. Yet, this issue is a common practice in certain areas in the world. According to India's national newspaper, The Hindu, 40% of the world's child marriages take place in India (Dhar,The Hindu,2009). In India child marriage is very common in the rural areas with lack of education, poverty and the continuation of ancient traditions being the major reasons. Although child marriage happens with both boys and girls, it is more common with girls, especially between the age of 5 and 12. For example, in Rajasthan, India, young boys and girls are married to each other on an auspicious day called Akha Teej. The parents of these children justify these marriages by claiming that they are a reliable way of passing on property and wealth between families. Most of the brides and grooms are under the age of 10 with some just two or three years old. With such a large percentage of child marriages happening in India, the government needs to take extra measures in addition to the laws passed against the phenomenon.