Page 33 - English Grammar - IX-X

rural areas and certain urban concentrations, as well as among the poorer socio-economic
groups, make children victims of this age-old custom. Despite the Child Marriage Restraint
Act, which was introduced in 1929 and deems child marriage a serious offence, nothing
seems to be able to curb this anti-social practice.

(2) Why do people marry off their children in the first place, and what can be done to
discourage people from doing so? Illiteracy and other associated factors fuel the evil,
the most important of which is parents’ desire to marry off their daughters as soon
as possible. Child marriage is popular in several states with high levels of illiteracy,
such as Rajasthan. For parents of minor girls, ‘Akhha Teej’ is D-day, because it is on
this day that they seek relief from the tension of having girl children growing up in
their midst.

(3) If both parents are literate or at least the father is, a child marriage is less likely. He is
then aware of the legal minimum age for marriage and the health risks that an early
marriage would pose to his daughter. If the mother is otherwise literate and has been
taught about the necessity of family planning, she is less likely to marry her daughter off
when she is younger than the legal minimum age.

(4) In 1978, the law was changed to raise the minimum marriage age for girls from 15
to 18 years and for boys from 18 to 21 years. In its 1974 report, the Committee on
the Status of Women suggested that all offences under the Act be made cognisable
and that special officials be formed to execute the legislation. The government, on
the other hand, paid no attention to it while raising the marriage age. Simultaneously,
there is no failsafe system for registering births, and hence no legally enforceable
technique for determining a male or female’s age.
(5) The Committee also advised that a girl be empowered to reject a child marriage when
she reaches adulthood, even if the marriage has been consummated. However, this
remained merely a wish that was never realised through legislation or in its genuine
spirit. It has never been recognised that social activity, particularly by social activists
and organisations, is required to ensure that the requirements of the legislation are
strictly followed.

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the following questions.
1. According to the author, which factors are responsible for child marriage in India?

(a) Powerful dominance of the landlords and soothsayers.
(b) Blind traditions and superstitions along with illiteracy.
(c) Men are encouraged to marry younger women in Indian culture.

(d) Young girls are more likely to bear twins more easily.

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