http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/11/trading-childhood-for-marriage/?hpt=wo_t3
Trading Childhood for marriage; after looking at this article I could not believe what I was reading, an 11 year old little girl was being forced to marry a 23 year old Ethiopian Priest.Why did he chose her, because she was young enough to still be a virgin. Destaye said that she wanted to be more then just a wife, she went to school and tried being someone great! Child marriage is found in many countries but in Ethiopia their are law preventing it, but most do not enforce these laws. What do you think, do you think it is ok for an 11 year old to be forced into getting married?
I think all people should have some say over their lives and what they want to do with them. Personally I think 11 is very young and the age difference is really substantial, but it is part of their culture which is probably the reason why the law is mostly ignored. The fact is those it is illegal and is for that reason and many others not ok.
ReplyDeleteAn 11 year old getting married?? That's insane. As Sam points out, there is a huge age difference between the girl and the man she is marrying. The girl most likely hasn't even hit puberty and still goes out and plays on a daily basis whereas the male has probably already been earning a living for many years. The maturity levels are so different that there probably isn't even a healthy relationship going on here. It's really bothersome that there's a law protecting that girl from getting married so young yet it is still ignored and the practice goes on. Can you imagine if you were forced to get married at 11?
ReplyDeleteIt's disgusting to think that a girl's parents would allow such a marriage. As Lucinda mentions, she probably hasn't even hit puberty yet and so marriage at that age is pretty pointless. It's not even like she can provide children to this man for a few years, and health-wise, it probably shouldn't happen for longer than that. Although it is part of their culture, it's sad that they completely ignore a law, and I have a hard time respecting that part of their culture.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me sad. There's no reason it should be allowed for a 23 year old man to basically marry a baby. I can't even wrap my brain around why it would even be apart of their culture. I mean it's 2012 not the 1800's, times have obviously changed or else there wouldn't be a law against it in the first place. Ugh, this kind of thing frustrates me because it makes me think of my 12 year old niece and how innocent and carefree children are. This poor girls life is forever changed and there's nothing we can do about it. :(
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of speechless at this moment. It's so sad that this is what it has to come down to. These girls are traded as rewards and property, not as humans. Though our culture understands the meaning to pedophilia, many might think of it as part of the culture, that it is what is. Still this is so disturbing, and utterly repulsive. And a priest of the community, just saddens me.
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