Introduction to Child Marriage:
- Child marriage was a common practice in India where young girls and boys were married off at a very early age. This was harmful and prevented them from living a full childhood and getting an education.
Formation of the Act:
- In 1929 the Indian government passed the Child Marriage Restraint Act. This law was created to stop the marriage of children and allow them to grow up before taking on adult responsibilities.
Details of the Law:
- Initially, the law set the legal age of marriage at 16 for girls and 18 for boys. This was a significant move to protect children and promote their well-being.
- Later, the ages were increased to 18 for girls and 21 for boys, providing more time for education and personal development before marriage.
Impact of the Act:
- The Act helped to reduce the number of child marriages and encouraged society to view childhood as a time for learning and growth rather than marriage.
- It also supported the idea that both girls and boys should have the opportunity to develop independently before committing to marriage.
Challenges and Opposition:
- While the law was a step forward, it faced opposition from some parts of society who believed in sticking to traditional practices.
- Enforcement of the law was challenging, and child marriages did not stop completely but decreased significantly over time.
