Early marriage is one of the most significant social and health issues, as it entails multiple consequences that affect the individual, the family, and society as a whole.<br /><br />Definition of Early Marriage :<br /><br />Early marriage refers to the formal union between two partners before reaching an appropriate level of physical, psychological, or social maturity. It is generally defined as marriage before the age of eighteen.<br /><br />Causes of Early Marriage :<br /><br /> • Deep-rooted traditions and cultural norms in certain communities.<br /> • Poverty and economic hardship, where daughters are married off to reduce financial burdens.<br /> • Lack of education or school dropout.<br /> • Fear of spinsterhood and societal pressure.<br /> • Weak or absent legal frameworks that fail to regulate the minimum age of marriage.<br /><br />Negative Impacts of Early Marriage :<br /><br />1. Health Impacts<br /> • Increased risk of pregnancy and childbirth complications, threatening the lives of both mother and child.<br /> • Higher rates of malnutrition and anemia due to early and repeated pregnancies.<br /> • Elevated maternal mortality rates among young mothers.<br /><br />2. Psychological Impacts<br /> • Lack of emotional and psychological maturity to handle the responsibilities of marriage and motherhood.<br /> • Greater susceptibility to depression, anxiety, and domestic violence.<br /><br />3. Educational Impacts<br /> • Interruption of education, which reduces future opportunities and limits independence.<br /><br />4. Social Impacts<br /> • Formation of unstable and fragile families.<br /> • Higher incidence of divorce in such marriages.<br /><br />Possible Positive Aspects (Rare and Conditional) :<br /><br />In some exceptional cases, early marriage may succeed if it is based on mutual consent and supported by family, health, and educational resources. However, such cases remain the exception rather than the norm.<br /><br />Strategies to Reduce Early Marriage :<br /><br /> • Raising awareness about the dangers and long-term effects of early marriage.<br /> • Empowering girls through education and ensuring they remain in school.<br /> • Enforcing strict legislation that sets the legal minimum age of marriage at 18.<br /> • Providing economic support for impoverished families to reduce financial pressures.<br /> • Strengthening the role of media, religious, and social institutions in addressing the risks.<br /><br />Conclusion :<br /><br />Early marriage often results in harmful physical, psychological, educational, and social consequences for girls, while also undermining the stability and progress of society. Addressing this phenomenon requires a comprehensive approach that combines education, awareness, legislation, and the empowerment of girls to enable them to contribute effectively to building a better future.<br /><br /><br />Zaid Fadel Rasool<br /><br />Al-Mustaqbal University <br />The First University in Iraq.