First, I hope you are having a nice day. If not, I hope it gets better soon!

Next, I agree that maternal health is an important part of “lifting” a population out of poverty, but I believe a more important task is the empowerment of children in general.

From what I have learned, “child marriage” is still a major problem in the World, and the United States is included in the latter category as well. As a “World population” we need to realize children are children, allow them to learn, be creative, and play. Also, we need to allow them an opportunity to learn from their own mistakes. As I began reading on “child marriage”, which was sparked PlanUSA, I discovered the problems associated with children worldwide. Sadly, many children are removed from education because the parents fear “rape” by teachers, parents lack sufficient funds to support families, and many feel the female children should marry at an early age because, in some parts of the World where agriculture is important, the child marriage allows parents a means to make “cash”. If the child’s labor makes the family money, the family can demand a monetary gain for the marriage.

While reading, I discovered a discussion of “Ahearn’s” ethnographic study of a Napalese village. In the discussion, literacy was described as a major driving force to empower a population. Interestingly, the literacy also created a development of early “love letters” amongst children and led to self arranged marriages instead of prearranged marriages. In turn, marriages lasted longer, age of birth was prolonged, and quality of life increased.

I realize the situation is quite complex and “corruption” often destroy the possibilities of most children. Sadly, it is usually the honest that does all the work, is beaten by the system, and end up starving while the rich take continuous advantage. On the other hand, there are “poor” who are criminals as well and once a chance of “richness” is provided, they will quickly take advantage of others.

In essence, money is the root of most evil acts in my opinion, and monetary gain can be disguised by “network laundering” as well. A person can engage in evil for a position in society or workplace.

With the latter said, I do not believe the dowery process is “evil”. Rather, I believe it is a means of survival. I just hope more children can begin the creative process of writing love letters.

Love Letters – An Animated Proposal – v2.0:

A contrasting comparison: An interesting video of bride-price by IRCW:

The Bride Price, Consequences of Child Marriage Worldwide:

• The Bride-price: Consequences of Child Marriage, IRCW.

Women, Marriage, Reconstructed Hymen, Love Letters, and Child Marriage

The “what” that is to be done is very clear, now we need to move to the how, subnational level initiatives, with government and community involvement. Difficult? Yes, but also possible!