This is an example of culture at work. It portrays Geert Hofstede's view of culture and an attitudinal barrier to communication , Enthocentrism.
Geert Hofstede had stated that culture is "the programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one group of people from another...includes systems of values which are the building blocks of culture." The Yemeni culture allows girls from as young as the age of eight to be married to older men. This is a practice that not many other groups perform, therefore making this culture much more unique than others. 
In addition, Yemeni child marriages is a custom that was established based on religion--Prophet Muhammad had wed a 9-year-old girl. Religion had been embedded into the Yemeni Culture; the Islamic culture had provided the cultural norms which instructed the Yemeni people what they could or could not do. In this case, Yemeni parents could marry off their young daughters to older men because it was the right thing to do and it would be wrong of their daughters to reject such a marriage arrangement.
Therefore, it should be understood that this cultural belief did not occur overnight as it was passed down the Yemen generations and they were made to think in this manner.
However,the mentality that the practice of "child marriages is right" had been established so deeply within the Yemen peoples' minds; it would be a herculine task for them to unlearn this. Despite the outrage from Yemeni child brides, the Yemen parliament has yet to put a minimal age limit for a girl to be married at.
After reading this article, I was immediately disgusted by Fawziya's parents as well as the husband. I was unable to understand why the parents had to marry their daughter off so early and why such a fully grown man would accept such a marriage arrangement. Ethnocentrism was the answer for my reaction--I was brought up in a society which disproved child marriages; I was given the freedom or right to choose my future husband whereas these girls did not have such a privilege.
hey, i think culture is the main thing behind this whole issue. Though, marriage is widely to be known as the union between a man and a woman, what is socially accepted as a marriage in a particular society may not just be resticted to this definition. For instance, gay marriages are both socially and legally accepted in certain Europe countries such as France but it is definitely not the case in Singapore.Therefore, what is socially accepted in 1 society may not be applicable to another society.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, like what u have mentioned, it's legal for middle east men to have sex with minor thus their actions have become both legally and socially acceptable in their society.It's a norm to them and perhaps gradually it has become their culture for men to marry young girls.
What a disheartened news to hear! That girls of age as young as 8-12 are being forced to marriages which they do not even have the slightest idea what is it about. I thought at first maybe the parents were poverty sticken but you mentioned that they were married to man who are even poorer than them? It just doesn't make sense!
ReplyDeletePoor girls! They have to endure such grievance for maybe 60 years more? i think the government should step in to stop this practice. Perhaps criminalising it will be one solution.
hey marilyn
ReplyDeleteThis is really a sad piece of news. To know that in this day and age that there are still children who are suffering so. In their society, it may seems like a social norm but to me I think it is quite a cruel thing to do to a child. As you said,if the child firmly protest, her family will threaten to get her rape, this shows that she does not have any say at all in her marriage and future. I do hope that they can change their mindset a little so as to let the girls in their society live a better life.
vanessa
I fairly think this is a very significant and pressing issue. Nice work on picking this one out. I am not oblivious to the fact that these stuff are happening around the world but however, the severity of it shocks me. Even the parents force kids to get married to men who are way older. Those societies that have been affected should take up policies and laws to prevent this culture. It might not onli physical hurt but also mentally traumatise young gals who've been affected for life.
ReplyDelete-Rathika
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI am so disgusted with the idea of child marriage. This not only concerns of cultural beliefs being passed down, it is also a form of way to control women. Sadly,women in this case is considered the minority group and their rights have been taken from them at a young age.
People may argue that child marriage exists because of traditions and culture beliefs that are passed down through generations. What I believe is that this way of living is just another form of dominant group exerting control over the minorities but just in the name of their belief.
-Chu Yuan
Hi there!
ReplyDeleteI think child marriages are deplorable too. From a biological perspective, the young girls are not even developed fully before they have to submit themselves to their husbands and even go through pregnancy. Their mental aspects are furthermore not of maturity yet and still they are forced to bear with some of the mental stresses women cope with.
These girls do not have a choice and most of them just accept it as a way of life.
After reading this post, I cannot help but be grateful that we are very fortunate to live in an environment and culture where marriages are not forced upon us.
i myself am very appalled by the situation of the child brides. many of them actually are forced into it and they have little external support and even little power on their own to disagree to the marriage.
ReplyDeletethere have also been many stories about them dying because of childbirth. their frail young bodies are not ready for child birth yet but because of their extremely early marriages and their religion, they cannot abort the child but have to push it out forcefully out of their bodies.
i have even heard of stories where the mother survives but because they have pushed so hard, they spoil their urinary tracts and are unable to control their bladders and rectums. it is so bad that many have been thrown out of the house because their husbands are unable to withstand the smell and trouble of havin to clean the house up.
this issue has fueled much anguish and sorrow towards child marriages.
hello!
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with your view. In our modern society, we have the freedom to choose if we want to wed. And the law protects young children from being married to older men. However, in other societies, where traditions overrule everything else, young girls do not have the freedom to choose, and also they are forced to marry older men.
i felt disgusted because, firstly, there is an age gap between the parties involved. Secondly, if the husband abuses the "child-wife", some of them might keep mum to themselves and not talk about it as they do not know how to. Thirdly, the "child-wives" are underage, and hence, they arent able to take on the responsibility as a mother, or as a wife yet.
I have seen this news a few years back and I don't like the idea of child marriages. I find that marrying off your daughter at such an unripe age may cause harm to her. It is not as though the girl's husband will take care of her faithfully because she's his wife, but more of like extra labour in his family. This will stunt the child's knowledge to the world. Women will always be under the control of men too.
ReplyDeleteThe continuation of child marriages will not help women to be more independent on themselves. If a society is to grow, educating every citizen will be more important than anything else.
as much as i am appalled by a news like this, we couldnt deny the fact that there is little that can be done to relieve this from happening. this is because of the culture and tradition that is deeply rooted within most of the people that they are accustomed to behave the way they are expected to. especially the women.
ReplyDeletei believe that this issue would not ease with law. this is because of the massive scale at which it is happening. age could be easily covered up with the flexed laws in places as such, preventing those who are in need to protection from reaching out to the aid of the law.
hi .. yea i agree to all tat culture make difference.
ReplyDeleteto be truthful, neither do i agree to child marriage, logically thinking the child isnt even mature to handle a relationship and life on their own and doesnt even have idea of what maarriage is all about.
upto certain extend it can be consider sexual assult as well.
Thank god luckily now a days, we have laws against child abuse and legal law on marital stuatus.
To Rathika
ReplyDeleteIts not that governments want such practices to continue, but it is because even the government are unable to change the traditional mindsets of these people despite making efforts.
In this case, the Yemeni government had talked about putting the minimal age to marry at 17 years, however, they are faced by extremely strong opposition from the traditional Islamists, and therefore are not able to make any workable laws regarding this sensitive issue.
To all those who made comments
ReplyDeleteThe media has successfully used pathos to appeal the case of child marriages to us. We feel disgusted by their actions and would most likely support any organisation which aimed to help rescue these girls from their current situation.