Concept of Child
Thanks to the bill that has recently come to the fore in our country and has been interpreted by many as "tolerating early marriages"; Everyone has learned that there is an internationally accepted official definition of the concept of child.
According to Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Article 6 of the Turkish Penal Code, "A person who has not reached the age of 18 is a child."
>Convention on the Rights of the Child and Turkish Penal Code Child Protection Law (2005); It accepts individuals under the age of 18 as children who need to be protected.
What Does Growing Up Mean?
They must be externally noticeable and measurable; age, weight and height; It stands out as leading indicators of growth and development.
However, the definition of development; When reduced to age or height/weight increase; A healthy evaluation cannot be made when cognitive, spiritual and social maturation is not taken into account.
In order for an individual to think, including abstract thought, to make decisions, and to live by taking responsibility for the decisions he makes; A certain maturity must be reached cognitively, socially, physically and spiritually. This corresponds to a developmental process that continues until the age of 18.
Although nationally and internationally accepted definitions of childhood seem to be created on the basis of calendar age, the age limit of 18 is actually a threshold value for social, cognitive and psychological development.
What Does Child Bride Mean?
Girls married under the age of 18 are called child brides, and marriages are called child marriage (early marriage). It is said. The disturbing part begins while making the definition.
We are talking about three concepts that should not be together and even mentioning them in the same sentence would cause discomfort for a normal person.
CHILD, BRIDE, MARRIAGE...
>When the definition is detailed, the feeling of discomfort begins to be felt more deeply. Because;
We are talking about handing over the child to an adult who can see it as a sexual object.
To someone we don't know...
To someone older...
Consent without offense…
Mom and dad are in trouble By the way…
We are also talking about marriages made while the child's developmental processes (cognitive, spiritual, physical, physiological and psychological) have not yet been completed and before they are ready to bear responsibilities such as marriage and having children..
From the drama of Ayşe and Fatma, who were made brides at 11, became mothers at 12, and were found dead at 14, even though they should have felt the love of their parents.
Our daughters became the third wife of a man while dreaming of becoming teachers. from disappointments...
A child who is afraid of the dark, has a hard time calming himself down when he is alone at home, and becomes alarmed if his father comes home a little late; We are talking about his own parents killing him and stealing his life.
Marriage of children at a young age, which is one of the most important social and cultural problems not only in Turkey but also in many parts of the world, even with the approval of the families;
It is a crime.
It is a violation of human rights.
It is sexual abuse of a child.
Possible Disadvantages of Early Marriages:
Threat to the Right to Life:
For human beings, the "right to life" is the most fundamental of all rights. It is “irreversible and irreparable”. When there is no life, when life ends, other rights cannot be mentioned. It is the right that is most underlined, emphasized and considered first in the European Convention on Human Rights.
Early marriage often leads to the experience of early motherhood. In early marriages, the pregnancy rate in the first year of marriage is over 90%. While pregnancy and birth are risky in all age groups, this risk is unacceptable for both mothers and their unborn babies in adolescent pregnancies. Since the anatomical, physiological and hormonal development of the body has not yet been completed, birth complications are much more frequent and much more dangerous. Therefore, early marriages cause risky early pregnancies, putting the lives of both the mother and the newborn at significant risk.
Threat to Mental Health:
A child in the developmental period comes under a heavy burden by being exposed to inappropriate experiences and expectations through marriage.
Playing games, studying, feeling a sense of success and self-worth by seeing what they can do While she needs to develop a healthy sense of identity by establishing peer relationships.
She has to take on the role of a good bride, a good wife, a good mother..
Taking on the responsibilities of running a household and raising children. He/she is forced to do so.
When his/her identity structure is not yet completed, it is difficult for him to fulfill these roles and overcome his responsibilities. Coping with the childhood satisfactions that could not be experienced on time and the disappointments caused by postponed dreams are quite traumatic for that mind and soul.
Thoughts of inadequacy and feelings of worthlessness are inevitable.
Depression, adjustment disorder, post-traumatic stress. Various mental problems such as stress disorder, convertive disorder and suicide are quite common.
With young age marriages, which threaten the right to life and cause permanent deterioration in mental health, girls' educational lives are also interrupted and they lose employment opportunities because they are not qualified. They cannot be injured enough. Therefore, their hopes and rights to receive education, obtain a profession, and lead themselves to socioeconomic prosperity are taken away.
Early marriages also appear as an important reason for violence against women. These marriages mostly end up against women, and marital problems, domestic violence and divorce are more common.
In short;
Early age marriages, 'Child' marriages. and 'Marriage' contain negativities that go beyond the discomfort caused by the use of the words side by side.
THREATENING YOUNG LIVES...
IT DISTURBING EDUCATIONAL LIFE...
IT MAY CAUSE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN..
Reasons
A logical reason has been put forward to explain why girls who have not even reached puberty are forced to marry much older men against their will. I am of the opinion that it cannot be sustained.
Can we normalize child marriages due to the social structure of the society, poverty, low education level, traditional practices, stereotypes and beliefs?
These marriages, which take place under the leadership of the will of the parents, The family can become more innocent if they have justified reasons. Do you think?
Can there be compensation for the lives given to grown men as wives without experiencing their childhood?
Conclusion:
Towards the child In sexual abuse, the act does not necessarily involve violence, nor does it matter whether the child has consented or not.
The reasons for early marriages are multi-dimensional, and the solution requires multi-dimensional efforts. In order to prevent it, joint efforts of the media and non-governmental organizations are required, and most importantly, the conscientious sensitivity of the society.
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