News, 8-year-old girl asks for divorce in court. (baby, parents, wife)

[John1960]

SANA’A, April 9 - An eight-year-old girl decided last week to go the Sana’a West Court to prosecute her father, who forced her to marry a 30-year-old man.

For the first time in Yemen - 8-year-old girl asks for divorce in court - front - Yemen Times

[regarese]

I just cannot for the life of me wrap my brain around a culture where the people who think this is wrong are the minority. Only an uncle is coming forward to help this child? UGH-makes me sick.

[slove1106]

And that makes you wonder how little they either don't care, or don't pay attention... The article states:

Shatha Ali Nasser confirmed that item number 15 in Yemeni civil law reads that “no girl or boy can get married before the age of 15." However, this item was amended in 1998 so parents could make a contract of marriage between their children even if they are under the age of 15. But the husband cannot be intimate with her until she is ready or mature,” said Nasser.“

My God. Where do I start with that... A parent can contract a child's marriage??? Can't even comprehend WHY anyone would do that. Then... the law stipulates they "cannot be intimiate until she is ready or mature"... Yet apparently they think she was ready for marriage to begin with??? OK, if the child were a teen of let's say 14, then it would just be sick... But at EIGHT... it's TWISTED.

Then the man says he thinks he did nothing wrong as "she was his wife"... Yes... sleeping with an 8 year old... Nothing wrong with that...

[sean98125]

The idea of marrying because of love is pretty recent, even in our own culture.

[regarese]

Originally Posted by sean98125

The idea of marrying because of love is pretty recent, even in our own culture.

That's all well and good, but she's EIGHT-not some 17 or 18 year old being arranged into a marriage that will join two families for a common goal.

[slove1106]

Originally Posted by sean98125

The idea of marrying because of love is pretty recent, even in our own culture.

Yes, but no matter how far in time you go... I don't think having sex with an 8 year old has ever been a "norm"...

[findinghope]

omg!!!!!

[SJRinMKE]

I feel so sad about this. Eight years old....man....that's a second grader. Wow. Don't even know what to say...

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

An 8 year old is still a baby, a society that doesn't see this is an undeveloped country from a sociological point of view. One of the natural results of the progression of a society is that children are MORE protected.

[ryane06]

Omg that is absoulty disgusting. How can someone force their 8 year old daughter to marry and have sex with an old man. They had to of done it for money because i cant see someone doing that...