TEEN MARRIAGE

By Gal Yamin

From the dawn of history adolescents' marriage has been a known phenomenon which might be supported in some cultures or deprived in others. Teen marriage is defined as the union of two teenagers from the age range of thirteen to nineteen years old. Almost every country has a legal minimum age for marriage. Despite laws concerning the age of marriage, tradition or some other circumstances usually take precedence and marriage continues to occur at very young ages. Regardless of any culture or aspect, teen marriage may lead to parental abandonment, dropping out of school, financial burdens and broken homes.

Parental abandonment is the major predicament which affects the young couple. As a repercussion of teen marriage which occurs owing to western circumstances like teen pregnancy, parental abandonment is the main factor that may leave both teenagers on their own. The adolescents' parents often find it hard to support their decision to get married, and the young couple usually has to fend for themselves. This situation often leads to other problems which usually precipitate the young couple into getting divorced.

Furthermore, teen marriage usually involves dropping out of school which causes damage to both young adolescents' education. The young male teenager suddenly finds himself as the bread-winner, and under the circumstances, has to leave the school and support his family financially. In addition, the young female has either to stay at home raising their baby or drop out of school in order to earn money. Not having educational requirements may coerce the young couple to adapt to harsh reality.

 Moreover, young married teenagers often run into financial burdens. Due to low revenue and lack of a college diploma, the young couple may suffer from financial problems which affect their quality of life and their development. In addition to non- supportive parents, the adolescents might find themselves in a broken relationship and under ongoing stress. Consequently, both teenagers often turn to drug use and delinquency.

In addition, broken homes are another repercussion of teen marriage, and they are the essential implication to violence in the family, giving up a child for adoption and divorce. Upon giving birth of the first child, all the problems intensify. All the problems together usually compel the young couple to live in a broken home or as a last resort to divorce.  In cases in which parents are supportive, they tend to carry the teenagers' burden of looking after the child and contending with financial problems.

In summary, teen marriage, no matter what the factors are, ushers in parental abandonment, dropping out of school, financial difficulties and usually leads to broken families. Even if teenagers insist on getting married and risking their future, they should contemplate their intentions meticulously, and the risks should be taken into account.