Dialogue between mother and daughter on isue child marriage
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Soumya: Mom, did
you hear this ? Our maid Lakshmi's daughter Vidya is
getting married. She
just told me.
Deepti: Oh, really? I'm shocked to hear that. She's just 13 years old.
That's
not right at all. I will talk
to Lakshmi and convince her to stop it.
Soumya: Why do you want to stop it ?
Deepti: 13 years is not an age to get married. She does not
understand
what marriage is. Also
she is not fit physically for marriage yet.
Soumya: Then why are they trying marry her off?
Deepti: It's because of our age old traditions. Also people like
them feel
that girls are a burden to take
care. They also feel that girls anyway
leave the house after their
marriage. So they are eager to send her
off. Further younger ones get
married easily.
Soumya: That is not fair, Mom, right ?
Deepti: true, it isn't fair. Often parents want to take pleasure in
marrying
their children during their
adolescence itself. That is for safety
in case they fall down
economically. Also, girls are given in
marriage due to external
pressures by money lenders, because
they cannot repay their debts.
Soumya: I don't like this at all. I think Vidya should refuse to marry
and
continue her schooling. She is
also helping her mother in
household works.
Deepti: You are right. Child marriages started off centuries ago, when
foreign invaders raided Indian
towns and carried off unmarried
virgins. They left married
women and girls untouched.
Soumya: Oh, really? I understand now, why our ancestors were married
very young.
Deepti: That was perhaps good in one sense. But that lead to many
problems, like high mortality during
childbirth of girls and newborns.
Also many women remained illiterate and dependent on husband
and children during the whole life. Also, they could not teach their
children much except being a cook and an aaya.
Soumya: In the hurry to tie their children in marriage and see their
families
grow, the parents miss some
important points.
Deepti: Yes. It is our important duty to stop this practice. Government
has
banned child marriages. Until
a girls is 18 years old, she should
not be married. She
should preferably be sent to school.
Soumya: Right. I will tell this to Vidya. I will ask her to study well
and
find her own good choice later
on. There is nothing to fear about
girl's marriage nowadays.
Deepti: You are right. Tomorrow when Lakshmi comes in, I will speak to
her and change her decision. In
case she doesn't agree, I will
inform the government
authorities.
Soumya: Ok, Mom. I am going out to play some cricket now. Serve me
snacks and Bournvita.