A Campaign Grows to Liberate Child Brides in Developing Nations

Townhall.com ^ | August 8, 2014 | Suzanne Fields

[camle]

isn’t that forcing our belief system upon them?

[Carry_Okie]

Adolescent girls are among the most vulnerable to abuse, says the International Center for Research on Women, but such girls are among the best situated to take advantage of an education, health care and a job, if only they get the chance.

"Child brides" are of prime breeding age for far longer than in the West, where "education" takes so long that women are headed to infertility clinics to have their first baby. Hence, one wonders if this is more a population reduction agenda than it is women's welfare.

[BigEdLB]

Child marriage thrives still in Africa, and particularly in Muslim countries, where it is sometimes difficult to argue against the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who married his third wife when she was 6. By Islamic accounts, he did not consummate the marriage until she was 9.

That one sentences tells you all you need to know about the root of the problem!

[BigEdLB]

Child marriage thrives still in Africa, and particularly in Muslim countries, where it is sometimes difficult to argue against the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who married his third wife when she was 6. By Islamic accounts, he did not consummate the marriage until she was 9.

That one sentences tells you all you need to know about the root of the problem!

[DannyTN]

Sounds like one of the better things the Obama’s have done. Looks like they stopped pushing homosexual rights long enough to do something worthwhile.

[GraceG]

isn’t that forcing our belief system upon them?

And the British were wrong for stopping wife immolation at their husband’s funerals....

/sarc

[Hugin]

The casualties are little girls, forced by culture, custom and sometimes their parents into unwanted marriage.

So now we are supposed to change the culture and customs of a billion or so people?

Take up the white man's burden...

[Veto!]

Yes, it’s hard to get past Mo’s example.

At Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, a sword that belonged to Mohammed is on display. I was appalled at the small children looking at it while their parents worshipfully explained what it was.

What a crock of a religion.

[BigEdLB]

Good sarcasm. You know liberals will equivocate the Islamic practice of child brides today to the 19th century practice of girls at 16 getting married in the USA.

Only in the Islamist areas is the idea of child brides championed. And a girl in the US marrying at 16 in the 1800s is not on the same plane. My grandmother married my grandfather at 16 in 1892. He was 22. They were married for 71 years until she died at 87. He outlived her by only a week and died at 93.

Those of us in Judaeo-Christian civilized area acknowledge our past and believe it was a mistake to have child brides in medieval times, and that times have changed as far as 16+ goes.. That it is better to be educated....And marry in the mid-late 20s... Although it doesn't work out.

[Sacajaweau]

A female age 12 can get married with parental consent in

Massachusetts!!

[ex-snook]

Our best and brightest girls want careers instead of families. The future that awaits them as they age may cause some regrets. A well done commendation from the boss may be of little solace compared to some grandchildren.

[Sacajaweau]

Maybe should worry about killing babies in the womb first....right here in our own country.

[GraceG]

Also in the 1800’s we educated our womenfolk in our schools, the “child brides” in today’s africa are intentionally kept uneducated.

[GeronL]

Yep.

Even parts of the US are backwards

In Massachussettes they can sell a 12 year old son to a homosexual man to marry.

How about that.

[ronnyquest]

"Abolishing child marriage is wise, moral and good politics. Child marriage adds to the fragility of fragile states, where girls are often regarded as salable commodities. The kidnapping of 275 Nigerian schoolgirls in April by the Boko Haram terrorists to sell to waiting customers was unusual, but not unique."

It wasn't even unusual, it just happens to have been publicized this time. The western world really has no idea what goes on in third-world nations, particularly in Africa and southeast Asia. This is business as usual for them and has been for 3000 years or more. They have no interest in changing.

[Maceman]

"Child brides" are of prime breeding age for far longer than in the West, where "education" takes so long that women are headed to infertility clinics to have their first baby. Hence, one wonders if this is more a population reduction agenda than it is women's welfare.

Yours is the creepiest reply I have ever seen to a post on FR in the 16 years that I have been posting here.

[Always A Marine]

And the British were wrong for stopping wife immolation at their husband’s funerals....

This is altogether different from colonial India, since the British ruled over their colony and were therefore responsible for the rule of law in the Raj. Africa is not our colony and therefore does not fall under our jurisdiction, so this is none our business. It is abhorrent, but not our business.

[AppyPappy]

Especially since the 20’s is considered the prime breeding age.

[Carry_Okie]

Yours is the creepiest reply I have ever seen to a post on FR in the 16 years that I have been posting here.

I suspect you are projecting based upon the lack of condemnation for "child brides." It is an absolute fact that drawing out female education is having the demographic consequences I cited. My wife worked in an infertility clinic and saw it first hand. Hence, I educated my girls at home. One was valedictorian of her college at the age of 20. The other is in a PhD program at 21 and could have been there several years sooner. Both girls are virgins and committed Christians. IOW, screw you for "creepy," without requesting clarification. In no way was I advocating child brides, and I do have reason to question the motives of the promoters of this program.