Introduction
People have been treated differently in many parts of the world based on their gender. VOA News (2020) has recently uploaded a documentary that highlights cases of early marriage among girls from different countries. Poverty and backward culture in their communities are some of the factors leading to underage matrimony (VOA News, 2020). The illiteracy among parents who do not see the value of education and its benefits for a girl also contributes to early marriages. As a result, many youthful girls are left in forced relationships (VOA News, 2020). Moreover, existing governments are often not doing enough to deal with and prevent the global and unfortunate practice that is affecting young girls. It is evident that being forced into matrimony, especially when one gets married to a person twice their age, the emotional effect is quite intense and overwhelming (VOA News, 2020). Although it is perceived that underaged and forced marriages are common only in Africa, such practices are occurring in various areas of the world. The majority of these girls are not educated, meaning that they are not aware of family planning methods.
It is sad to see what is happening to young girls, who should otherwise be in school. These girls are not able to receive general education that could have presented them with opportunities to enter a college, build a career, and live freely. The issues related to underage forced marriages are not given enough attention, and global leadership appears to overlook the matter. While that is not enough, I believe that everyone deserves to live a better life, and such young girls should be allowed to receive an education, get jobs and change the state of their families. I was at the same time surprised to see governments not implementing stricter measures to ensure that the people participating in forcing young girls into matrimony are punished.
Analysis: Functionalism Theory
Functionalism theory can be used to address the problems from the above-discussed documentary. Institutions such as family, education, religion, and media can influence how people socialize and relate to one another. Consequently, functionalism perceives society as a whole concerning the functions of each constituent element (Okolo & Nwachukwu, 2022). The theory concentrates on how social institutions meet social needs and emphasizes either balance or purpose, noting separate and unique roles that shape society (Okolo & Nwachukwu, 2022). In particular, functionalism implies that each institution must perform specific functions to ensure the overall growth of society (Okolo & Nwachukwu, 2022). Accordingly, one can argue that communities that force underage girls into matrimony do so because such societies regard marriage as a function, that girls are obliged to enact for the benefit of the majority.
Firstly, some people view child marriages as necessary practices for financial survival. VOA News (2020) presents the story of Somaya from Afghanistan, who was pushed to marry when she was about to finish the seventh grade. Her father had made a bargain with their relative to exchange Somaya for 3300 dollars (VOA News, 2020). The documentary describes Somaya and countless similar young brides as powerless, poor, and barely educated people who serve as business deals for the grown-ups (VOA News, 2020). While Somaya’s father received money that hopefully was used to support the rest of their family, the girl’s new relatives acquired a daughter-in-law to do house chores (VOA News, 2020). However, it seems that no one in the community was concerned about Somaya’s suffering as she was faced with physical and verbal abuse (VOA News, 2020). Somaya, who can represent multiple individuals with similar stories, has performed a monetary function that benefited two families but not the little girl herself.
Secondly, people often perceive marriage as a tradition that every member of society must follow. Many functionalists argue that social institutions are meant to contribute to the construction of a stable system and that changes in one institution can cause alterations in others (Okolo & Nwachukwu, 2022). Consequently, the story of Qubra from Pakistan presents an example of the conviction that underage matrimony is important for the community’s balance (VOA News, 2020). The young woman shares that her father believed that once a girl is strong enough to fetch water, she should marry (VOA News, 2020). As it is regarded sinful if a female is unwedded before she reaches puberty, the girl’s family has a custom of early marriage, with the time and spouse chosen by the father (VOA News, 2020). Although Qubra states that she liked to study and wanted to continue her education, she was not given a choice because her desires could compromise the stability within the community (VOA News, 2020). Qubra and her female relatives enter matrimony at a young age to do household duties in order not to disturb the societal structure with the sinful life of a free person.
Thirdly, some people may consider child marriages ordinary because of gender-based stereotypes. Functionalism suggests that historically formed gender roles require women to take care of domestic responsibilities to keep the family system functioning properly (Okolo & Nwachukwu, 2022). A citizen of Tanzania, Mwanahamisi, was supposed to marry a stranger, and when she asked for the groom’s name, Mwanahamisi’s mother said that it was none of her business (VOA News, 2020). The girl’s relatives did not deem it necessary for the soon-to-be wife to know anything about her future husband, as girls were perceived to become wives and nothing more (VOA News, 2020). Eventually, Mwanahamisi found a way to claim her freedom and is now pursuing an education to build a career in fashion (VOA News, 2020). Mwanahamisi was expected to perform gender-stereotyped functions within a household but became one of the fortunate girls who managed to show society that its stability would not be shaken if girls were independent.
Conclusion
In conclusion, functionalist theory believes that a stable society has strong microelements from all sectors. For the family to be steady, the government is expected to be active and responsible for offering quality education, healthcare, and other social amenities. At the same time, the citizens are expected to pay taxes and obey the rules and regulations that are put in place. In case the government, for example, is not able to offer the services such as security and food during the crisis, it means that the cycle is not complete, and citizens would not be able to work and pay the taxes necessary to keep everything running. Regarding the video, it is rather disappointing to see the suffering young girls are going through in terms of young marriages and poverty in different parts of the world. While underage matrimony is perceived to function for the benefit of society, people often do not consider young women can contribute to communities in diverse ways that are not limited to doing house chores. World leaders should come together to develop appropriate policies that deal with forced marriages to offer girls opportunities to get educated and thrive like any other person.
References
Okolo, E. A., & Nwachukwu, C. C. (2022). Gender issues in African culture: An evaluation. Journal of Applied Philosophy, 20(1). 194-205.
VOA News. (2020). Worth of a Girl: Hope and Survival of Child’s Bride[Video]. YouTube. Web.