The pupils who vanish...

It is not about the consent of a third person but the two individuals....just stating!!!

I come from a place where they arrange marriages even at birth(!) But the last forced marriage I know was that of my grandparents. So you see we were able to end the cycle in just a matter of one generation because we wanted to. That's why I am not sold to the idea that it's the tradition/culture. We were able to break away from this practice because we simply realized that it's against the law of the land and oppressive to the child.

the consent was given by the guardians, right? Who do you think arranged the marriage?

I totally disagree with all these malpractices but I am just amazed that many who contradict the first two are supporter of the last! Why?

There is a difference. Child marriage and forced marriages are carried out without consent.

so they won't break the law?

What's the difference? Child marriagae, forced marriage, same sex marriage, WHAT's the difference? Does it matter who authored the law? Tsk Tsk Tsk!

Yes tink except for sajmarhab

Agreed..

I think what she means that in the UK, it is now illegal to take out a child from education during school terms.

This was brought in partly because people used to take their kids on long vacations to their mother countries and thus when the children returned, they would lag behind the others.

Tinker, i suspect it is not a universal law, yes some countries have it but I doubt all of the world does

Setting aside cultural norms such as arranged marriages etc. it is against the law to take a child out of school at 15 in the uk.

There could be many reasons ranging from poverty where the girl child is traded with a much older man to settle the debts. In some cases marrying a young girl to an older man is considered good for the safety and security of the girl child.

Then there are wealthy families who in the name of family honor and at times based on associated morality issues (mainly virginity of the girl child being the issue) get there children in that arrangement at early age. At times even based on the current economic condition of the family so that in case the fortune changes the fate of the child (specially the girl child) is safeguarded.

There may be many others but the fact remains it is not right and all efforts need to be done to eradicate it completely as it is reported to severely affect such children at times even resulting in their death (specially the girl child).

Actually if the parents do there job right they should not b worried about force marriage

I know tinker I m not justifying force marriage but that's the only reason I can think of.

OR, the daughter /son may grow up to be a an ugly moron...so having them hitched before that becomes evident my be a good idea.

OR, the family may have some "scandal" or become poor in the meantime...so having them hitched now may be a good idea.

All in all, it ONLY benefits those who make that decision in some way.

At age 18 child be an independent adult and force marriage will not work. It can b arrange marriage then though.

I don't know. I'm throwing ages around for funnzies. :P

Bcuz they don't want them to fell in love with somebody who is not same as there religion/ family and get married there

How did we get from 11 to six to five :O)

I suppose the simple answer is that the parents agree early on and "groom" the children into believing/agreeing with their choice as they grow.

I think MIL/DIL problems exist everywhere, especially in places were women are still expected to remain in the home and living with the extended family. Anywhere where a MIL and DIL are expected to co-habitate there is going to be issues.

However, I don't see why the children need to be married at such a young age. If you want them to marry each other, why not wait until their over 18, why do they have to be 5?

That too britexpat.

I would say its less to do with money and more to do with marrying into family etc.

Well the article is discussing something happening within certain ethnical groups in the UK. I'm sure the same happens in many other places and amongst other racial/religious groups as well. Besides says nothing about Qatar.

Post one that mentions Qatar and then the topic becomes relevant.

Yes it's T.B. Just scroll up and read the (My God is better than yours) posts above and this is only the beginning lol just wait till when the monkey finds out about this threads and declares a holy war! lol

Miss Mimi, MONEY. Plus getting rid of one girl, and another family gaining another "maid".

Do you have any idea how some of the "daughters in law" are treated by their husband's families?

I just spoke, recently, to a friend of mine....she totally dreads going back home due to how she is treated by her inlaws. this is , of course, not always the case.

I'm still waiting for an answer on what could be the possible benefits of marrying off a 6 year old!?

MT...though not in line with the issue and since you carved out the concept of arranged marriage, let me ask you what is wrong with an arranged marriage per se if the two are adults and can make their decision or agree to such a decision by whomsoever to do so. They may not have fallen in love or may not have had s*x before marriage but as they go along they can fall in love and do whatever they want to and generally in sensible families the boy and the girl are given enough time after the first acceptance to get to know each other. During this period there are cases where the two decide that they are different personalities and walk away and then there also are cases where they lived a successful happy married life. On the same note love marriages also do not guarantee that the couple would be happy after marriage.

it's nothing to do with Qatar, I think it's about force marriage

MN, you don't think forced marriages happen here? And how is it getting ugly?

First: What has this to do with Qatar?

Second: this is getting really ugly. Someone wake up the mods!

Oh please! Forced marriage is well and flourishing in many of those countries.

I know at least 4 people personally who were not allowed to choose their own partner. One of them desperately trying to leave India because he is not allowed to marry the partner of his choosing.

And those are adults! Can you even imagine how many more children are forced???

IF people immigrate to another country they have to leave those customs that break the law in the country of their choice behind. as simple as that.

All this circumventing is WRONG. And people should stop making excuses for this.

Sure, those kids need help, no question. But will that break the circle? Obviously not. I think it is about time to look at the big picture. IF they do this, they have to go. For good. That , of course, will make life harder for some of those kids who were forced, but if those rules are enforced, with no loopholes, it actually may do some good in the long run.

This story is about the UK and the government is doing all it can to protect these kids. It has set up units to help these children and in some cases also has counterpart units in "countries of origin". The same occurs in most other countries.

Thankfully, it is not as widely practised as before, but even one "forced marriage" is one too many. Parents need to be educated and also prosecuted if they carry out such an act.

sajmarhab,Firstly, nobody said this has anything to do with Islam.

Secondly, the one example the woman used was of a 15 year old boy, however children as young as 5 are being forced into marriage.

Thirdly, 17 is the average age a person looses there virginity, that's a far cry from 9.

Fourthly, this is NOT about arranged marriage ADULTS but the FORCED marriage of CHILDREN. Very different things.

Perhaps you should learn to read before you go off on a tangent.

Personally I'm quite comfortable with being called racist and meddling it it saves a woman or child from harm.

If the cycle isn't broken at some point it will never end. And these people are citizens of the UK, regardless of their ethnic origins, and these children were probably all born in the UK. The government should try and protect them.

If we muslims do something, that is always making some sort of itching to the WEST. I dont understand YY (first of all, this is not a religiouse bashing).

When we marry maximum 4, it is worriying u West. and we are having sex with only with our wife only, no outsider. (and that you didnt like, u r encouraging us to follow your culture, and what is your culture, please read below)

but the same time, you west can have numerouse girfriends or boyfriends and have sexual life with each and everyone eventhough u didnt marry legally. that is a custome, or culture in your society. (that is not a problem for you west)

when we marry on early stage, it is child abuse( as per your article at the age of 15)

when your magazine showing some statistics that, most of the boys and girls they lose their virginity at the age of between 9 to 12 (above 90%)

but that is your custom or culture. that doesnt matter at all for you.

and the study shows arranged marriage last more than love marriage. (u dont care the study, bcoz it is favoring us).

so I didnt understand what is your real problem...

.

Miss Mimi, I can't care about sh t like this anymore...those people are crazy nutters, they are breaking the law, treat their own children with disdain, are cruel, and take a potentially happy future away from their children. Why did they leave their country? Apparently they like the customs etc. there.

Why should it be up to the authorities in another country to fix what they apparently love and see as their culture?

It's their business.

See, I feel terribly sorry for those kids...for anybody who is forced to marry somebody other than THEY have chosen for themselves...but hey, I am also tired of being called "racist", "meddling" and all the other nice titles one gets when one dares to point out certain things.

If those people do not have the capability to see at least a little sense, well, let them live with it then.

Oh, and if caught breaking the law, send them back to where they can do this sh t.For good.

You don't think a responsible society has an obligation to protect children nomerci?

Totally disagree with arranged marriage...no matter what age the child/adult is. period.

nhl 2k9, like if parents' brutal decisions never made some kids unhappy, broken hearted or even suicidal..

regardless of whether the child is 12 or 22 or even 82 for that matter. And I agree with Tinker. Teaching the kids alone will not bring reform. The so called guardians are the ones who need educating. If not they will simply carry on with this evil practice.

Then send them to a place where they can do this without breaking the law.

They are breaking the law nomerci....

You know what? Since they are so keen on doing this, let them. Their business.As long as they do not break the law.

Really, IMHO, it defies all common sense, and is cruel. But hey, if they think it's what they need to do, so be it.

but again who we are to judge, it's wrong for some but it's right for them, lets just respect their culture or practice what ever you call it

I don't think the article is advocating teachers being social workers Brit, just that they should be aware. Teachers are around kids more than there parents in many cases and they notice things that a social worker may not.

This is a bane in some areas of society and needs to be stamped out. I do not believe that teachers should be social workers. However, mechanisms need to be in place to allow children to talk to "counsellors" about their fears and then escalate it to proper authorities.

What could be the possible benefit in marrying off a child? (Presuming that one spouse isn't much older than the other and a pedophile). I don't understand the need to marry off a 15 year old boy to (presumably) a 15 year old girl?

first throwing babies and now force marriage, what's next?

The most Trustworthy persons in the WORLD are Your PARENTs.

Trust in THEM.

-------

ALL will be fine in The END.

This is sad. I thinks parents need to be educated about force marriage

I wish i was ever forced for marriage .. :(

Good Articl tho.. TFS !