Orphan Boy Up for Marriage in 2024? Say it Ain't So!
Orphan Boy Up for Marriage in 2024? Say it Ain't So!
No parent wants to see their child grow up an orphan, but the number of orphaned children
worldwide may soon rise drastically. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately 2 million babies around the world will never know their parents by the time they turn 18 if current trends continue. And, by 2022, more than half of those orphans are expected to be boys! While most people can imagine what it must be like to grow up without their mother, it’s not so easy to comprehend never having your father in your life.
5 Countries Where This Is Happening
In India, there is a centuries-old tradition of young girls being married off to older men. But now, there's a new twist: orphan boys are being married off too! This practice is happening in other countries as well, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Why is this happening? One theory is that it's seen as a way to provide security for the boys. But whatever the reason, it's sure to cause problems down the road.
More on enforcing marriages on orphans
Take Action
This is outrageous! How could this be allowed to happen? We must do something to stop this from happening. We need to raise awareness and put pressure on the government to change the law. Contact your local representatives and demand that they take action. Together, we can make a difference.
Learn more about international adoption laws
Every year, thousands of children are adopted from other countries by American families. The process of adopting a child from another country can be long and expensive, but it is also an incredibly rewarding experience.
Consider adopting older children
You may have always thought you'd adopt a baby, but what about an older child? There are so many benefits to adopting an older child. They're usually already potty-trained, they know how to communicate, and they often have a better sense of who they are. Plus, they need homes just as much as younger children do.
Donate to organizations that fight against child trafficking, slavery, and abuse.
It's hard to believe that in this day and age, there are still children being trafficked, sold into slavery, and abused. But it's happening, and it's happening more often than we'd like to think.
The key is raising awareness about the issue. The more people know about the severity of the problem, the less likely they'll be able to turn a blind eye and say, It ain't so.
It may not seem like a lot can be done against something as daunting as child trafficking, but by donating money or volunteering with organizations that work on the front lines to fight this issue every day, you can make a difference in someone else's life.
Contact your representatives when you see legislation regarding orphans.
The public has recently become interested in the story of an orphan boy whose guardians put him up for marriage in order to pay off a debt. While this may seem like a shocking story, unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Each year, guardians of thousands of orphans put them up for marriage to pay off debts or improve their social standing. This is a gross violation of human rights and must be stopped.
