Child Marriage in Saudi Arabia: A Disheartening Norm

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the issue of child marriage in Saudi Arabia and other countries, examining cultural norms, statistics, and the implications of such practices. Participants explore various perspectives on the prevalence and acceptance of child marriage, as well as the socio-economic factors that contribute to it.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express disbelief that an 8-year-old could be considered the norm for marriage anywhere, while others provide examples from different countries where early marriage occurs.
  • One participant highlights that in India, while child marriage is prevalent, it typically occurs at ages 16-17, contrasting with the situation in Saudi Arabia.
  • There are claims that child marriage is driven by economic necessity, with parents marrying off daughters to ensure their survival, despite the risks involved.
  • Participants discuss the implications of child marriage, including the lack of education for young girls and the potential for exploitation.
  • Some argue that the statistics on child marriage may not accurately reflect the situation, suggesting that surveys may be influenced by where they are conducted.
  • There is a mention of the high rates of child marriage in Bangladesh and the socio-economic conditions that perpetuate this practice.
  • Concerns are raised about the literacy rates and access to birth control in regions where child marriage is common, suggesting these factors contribute to the continuation of the practice.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the acceptability or normalcy of child marriage, with multiple competing views presented regarding its prevalence, causes, and implications. The discussion remains unresolved, with differing opinions on the socio-economic factors at play.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the influence of cultural, economic, and educational factors on child marriage rates, as well as the potential for misinterpretation of statistics related to the practice. There is acknowledgment of the complexity surrounding the issue, including the interplay of poverty and societal norms.

waht
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I thought that Jerry Springer shows was the tip of it all, but I guess this is the norm over there:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090501/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_saudi_child_marriage

CAIRO – An 8-year-old Saudi girl has divorced her middle-aged husband after her father forced her to marry him last year in exchange for about $13,000, her lawyer said
 
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Interesting map
 
To me that's is more a map of where the survey was conducted than of the actual marriage percentage.
 
neu said:
To me that's is more a map of where the survey was conducted than of the actual marriage percentage.

It's a child marriage map, so yeah, it's more useful than you think.
 
I'd just like to point out, that while it is true India does have a high child marriage rate, and it is a big problem in the village areas, the ages are around 16-17. Now that is still a bad situation, and those women are not given a chance at education, etc... But anything below the age of 15 or 14 is just unheard of around there.
 
I find it hard to believe that 8 years old could be the "norm" anywhere.
 
WhoWee said:
I find it hard to believe that 8 years old could be the "norm" anywhere.

Actually, it's 7:

# In Ethiopia and some areas of West Africa, some girls get married as early as age 7. 6
# In Bangladesh, 45 per cent of young women between 25 and 29 were married by age 15. 7
# A 1998 survey in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh found that nearly 14 per cent of girls were married between the ages of l0 and 14. 8

I know for sure that it still pretty common to marry children around 8 or set their marriage around or below that age.

I could not find any reason why would they do that other than that
1) boys are preferred
2) girls can't do heavy work (support family)
So, people see girls as burdens and try to send them out as soon as possible. I remember thinking about why poor even have children if they are hardly living by themselves... If I am thinking right, those people don't seem to have anything better other than marrying their female children asap. At least, it is better than female infanticide .
 
That's not a child marriage map. It include young women of 19 yrs of age.

A good map, would be a premenstral map.
 
  • #10
TEEN PREGNANCY in WEST and CHILD MARRIAGE IN EAST! Same problem deferent name, don't you think ? Which one is better?
 
  • #11
I_am_no1 said:
TEEN PREGNANCY in WEST and CHILD MARRIAGE IN EAST! Same problem deferent name, don't you think ? Which one is better?

Which one is involuntarily?
Do you seriously need to think if 8 yrs old with middle aged man is worse or 8 yrs old with another 8-around?
 
  • #12
rootX said:
Which one is involuntarily?
Do you seriously need to think if 8 yrs old with middle aged man is worse or 8 yrs old with another 8-around?

Dear bro! Things are n0t like that easy what are you thinking ! As i live in a 3rd worlds country so i know !
For example if that girl's parent is very poor and not capable to bear her mouth what they should do with that 8 yr old child ? Let her die deprive of food ? Or its better to give her a marriage with anyone who can maintain ? 'At least the life of their daughter got safe' (though its not safe at all) they are happy ! The second choice they have is to send her child to PROSTITUTION!
And govt what they will do ? How they will maintain this vast population (1025 head per sq km - Bangladesh) with this lil communt of wealth ? Yes govt have banned child marriage ! Though UNFPA's statistics telles us 60 - 69 % cases child marriage happens, i can't believe it fully obviously i have some cause!
 
  • #13
rootX said:
Which one is involuntarily?
Do you seriously need to think if 8 yrs old with middle aged man is worse or 8 yrs old with another 8-around?

I'd argue that we have it backwards in America.


11 marriages out of 1,000 marriages (around 1 marriage out of 100 marriages) ends up to divorce
http://www.divorcerate.org/divorce-rate-in-india.html
 
  • #14
I_am_no1 said:
Dear bro! Things are n0t like that easy what are you thinking ! As i live in a 3rd worlds country so i know !
For example if that girl's parent is very poor and not capable to bear her mouth what they should do with that 8 yr old child ? Let her die deprive of food ? Or its better to give her a marriage with anyone who can maintain ? 'At least the life of their daughter got safe' (though its not safe at all) they are happy ! The second choice they have is to send her child to PROSTITUTION!
And govt what they will do ? How they will maintain this vast population (1025 head per sq km - Bangladesh) with this lil communt of wealth ? Yes govt have banned child marriage ! Though UNFPA's statistics telles us 60 - 69 % cases child marriage happens, i can't believe it fully obviously i have some cause!

India is a very prosperous country. Don't kid yourself.
 
  • #15
I_am_no1 said:
For example if that girl's parent is very poor and not capable to bear her mouth what they should do with that 8 yr old child ? Let her die deprive of food ? Or its better to give her a marriage with anyone who can maintain ? 'At least the life of their daughter got safe' (though its not safe at all) they are happy ! The second choice they have is to send her child to PROSTITUTION!


https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=294346
 
  • #16
Wax said:
India is a very prosperous country. Don't kid yourself.

though i aint talking about INDIA! India is richer! . . . 50 % child marriage happen in India its almost 60-70% child marriage of the world! And the rate of killing fetus after identifying female child is very very high . . . And the thing i don't like about INDIA is discrimintion between CITY AND RURAL AREAS ! big city like MUMBY is highly developed on the other hand they have some rural areas which is still under poverty level althoug they are developing which i apprecite!
 
  • #17
rootX said:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=294346

Again ! What will make this sense in them ? They are illiterate! (according to BANGLADESHI govt 45% is literate but i don't think so it crossed 35%) They don't familiar with BIRTH CONTROL and also have sm religious misconception superstitions blah blah blah which stops them taking steps against birth control! And if you study about the increasing of population then you can get some idea the rate is decreasing but already they have a lot !
 

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