Child Marriage in Rural Southern India: Beyond the Reach of the Law

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32444/IJSW.2018.79.2.141-162

The practice of child marriage is yet prevalent in certain tribal areas of Tamil Nadu, In-

dia. The current study is based on structured interviews conducted with 135 women.
The researchers examine the relationships between numerous personal variables and
age at marriage and physical well-being. The analysis provides support for relationships
between the age of the girl at marriage and specific variables such as abortions, birth
of children, work, and knowledge of legal restrictions and sanctions against child mar-
riage. Also income of spouse, abortions and verbal abuse are significant predictors of the
women’s current physical well-being. The study reveals that a majority of the women are
aware that child marriage is an offence in India. Case studies of three of the respondents
are described, and examples of interventions and policy implications are discussed.

Keywords:

child marriage, legislative response, Interpersonal abuse, quality of life