Child Brides in Afghanistan

[Artegal 1]

Photographer Stephanie Sinclair, who captured the stunning images of the men with brides as young as 11 years old, talks with Alex Chadwick talks about the global issue of child brides.

Numbers are hard to verify, but one estimate by the Population Council, an international research group, is that about 1 in every 7 girls in the developing world (excluding China) gets married before her 15th birthday.

In Afghanistan, it is not uncommon for parents to give their daughters over to marriage to settle debts or resolve family or clan disputes. In hard times, it can save the girl from a life of poverty and hunger. But as Sinclair found in her travels through the countryside, the practice is also deeply entrenched in Afghan culture.

SOURCE NPR.ORG

[*Robert* 2]

And???

[gimygirl 0]

[*Robert* 2]

Bwahahaha Mo mo... you always make me laugh!!!

[gimygirl 0]

Bwahahaha Mo mo... you always make me laugh!!!

[I'm Gone 60]

I guess there if the wife burns dinner it's OK to spank her or put her in the time out chair.

[Nearly Done 8]

I guess there if the wife burns dinner it's OK to spank her or put her in the time out chair.

trust you

[scumpi 0]

Yes,the facts might not be new,but seeing the pictures is a little disturbing and confusing just because...the girls don`t look quite unhappy?? ...I don`t want to be misunderstood, but looking at those pictures and the fact that 1 out of 7 girls are married under 15 make me think that it`s not just an accident,it might be another cultural fact that we don`t understand so we don`t accept.

I just try do be more acceptant and not judge cultures that are different than ours,although sometimes it`s a hard thing to do.

[MrsAmera 41]

I totally don't support the marriage of children at such a young age and am really against it BUT culturally it is accepted. Girls are prepared from a very young age (3,4,5) to take care of the house, children etc. It's hard to accept because they are still children. But that's what happens. A 15 year old American child is not ready to be a wife (in most cases - although in some 'sects' like Amish community children this young do get married) but most of these girls really can handle a household. Also they generally live in large families and getting married and having their own homes to take care of is really an accomplishment and source of pride for them.

Again I do not agree with this. A 15 yr old should be in school not worrying about taking care of a family - I just wanted to add a few little cultural points.

[Veiled Princess 1]

I was 16 when I married my first husband and we were married for 10 years and two wonderful children are a product of that marriage. He was 23 when we married. I do not see a problem with this. It is possible for a woman to have a family and continue her education at the same time.

The state of SC recently lowered the age of consent from 16 to 14. As I have stated in a previous thread (and been blasted out of the water for it) I don't find this to be offensive if the girl is married.

The girls in those pics do not look unhappy. If they're happy then so be it.

If they're being sold to these men, as the post states, then I am totally against this as it is against the religion they claim to follow.

[peejay 327]

The fact is that it is their country, their culture, and their customs. Whether we agree with it or not.

The only time I have a problem with it is when they immigrate to my country and demand that we accomodate their customs and culture when they are in direct conflict to our way of life and laws.

[slim 1,533]

There was a time (not so long ago) in American history when it was not uncommon for women to be in their teens and already have a husband and several children.

I'm sure many of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers were pretty young when they married.

Once individual wealth increased to the point where a family was no longer necessary (post-industrial age) the average age that women married increased, so much so that now it's not necessary at all. (Hell, kids don't even have to work anymore!) In developing countries (like Afghanistan) it is still somewhat necessary for young women to marry at an early age. Who knows, maybe after the Kabul Super Wal-Mart opens, they'll be able to stay single into their mid-twenties!

[Veiled Princess 1]

There was a time (not so long ago) in American history when it was not uncommon for women to be in their teens and already have a husband and several children.

I'm sure many of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers were pretty young when they married.

Once individual wealth increased to the point where a family was no longer necessary (post-industrial age) the average age that women married increased, so much so that now it's not necessary at all. (Hell, kids don't even have to work anymore!) In developing countries (like Afghanistan) it is still somewhat necessary for young women to marry at an early age. Who knows, maybe after the Kabul Super Wal-Mart opens, they'll be able to stay single into their mid-twenties!

And what of those women who want to marry early? Does it matter if it's not necessary? Why does it have to be that a woman of any age only marries out of necessety? Why can't we just marry and have a family because that is our personal goal in life and it makes us happy?

The fact is that it is their country, their culture, and their customs. Whether we agree with it or not.

[Fandango 1,440]

There was a time (not so long ago) in American history when it was not uncommon for women to be in their teens and already have a husband and several children.

I'm sure many of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers were pretty young when they married.

Once individual wealth increased to the point where a family was no longer necessary (post-industrial age) the average age that women married increased, so much so that now it's not necessary at all. (Hell, kids don't even have to work anymore!) In developing countries (like Afghanistan) it is still somewhat necessary for young women to marry at an early age. Who knows, maybe after the Kabul Super Wal-Mart opens, they'll be able to stay single into their mid-twenties!

And what of those women who want to marry early? Does it matter if it's not necessary? Why does it have to be that a woman of any age only marries out of necessety? Why can't we just marry and have a family because that is our personal goal in life and it makes us happy?

They're not women, they're children. But you and I have done this dance before a few mos ago..no?

And slim...back in those days, the age of mortality was like 30.

[Veiled Princess 1]

But you and I have done this dance before a few mos ago..no?