The Silent Suffering: Social And Psychological Consequences Of Child Marriage

Abstract

The phenomenon of child marriage is a global issue deeply rooted in various cultures and remains a critical and sensitive problem. Approximately 700 million women who are living now were wed by the age of 18. The present study was designed to explore the social and psychological impacts of child marriage on girls who married at the age of 17 and below. The study was conducted in Rural areas of KP and Punjab, Pakistan under a quantitative approach while primary data were collected from only 350 girls who were married before the legal age through convenient sampling. The findings of the study show that early and largely unregistered marriages are predominate¹ly decided upon by female fathers and guardians in families where the educational level of the female is low. The study also noted that early marriage has a significant negative impact on education, personal growth, and psychological well-being. Child marriage can lead to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The study recommends that comprehensive approaches that include community awareness campaigns, educational opportunities, legislative reforms, and economic empowerment are needed to eliminate the practice of child marriage.