Climate change causes an increase in child brides
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (387554)
Rockingham, Australia
July 9, 2026 8:12pm CST
It may seem an odd fact, but when tropical storms hit poor Asian communities, it has a devastating effect on communities. A warmer atmosphere and rising sea temperatures increase the intensity of tropical storms, impacting heavily on families who find it hard to make ends meet in the best of times.
When houses and livelihoods are destroyed by cyclones and/or natural disasters, families may feel they have no option but to allow their daughters to be married off to lessen the burden. Girls are regarded as part of their future husband’s family.
In Bangladesh, after a natural disaster, child marriages can surge by up to 39%.
South Asia accounts for most of the child marriages with Bangladesh having the highest rate in Asia. Fifty per cent of girls are married before they turn 18.
The photo was taken in Nepal.
19 people like this
18 responses
@rebelann (118615)
• El Paso, Texas
10 Jul
I've only read about Native Americans @JudyEv I do like anthopology but what do they really know about ancient cultures anyway.
I have read that in the middle ages it wasn't uncommon for soldiers to be as young as 14 so I imagine girls would've been considered adults at that age as well but how can anyone really know what the social norms were 400 years ago
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@teamfreak16 (46219)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jul
I know it's part of the culture, but it just seems so odd to me.
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@teamfreak16 (46219)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jul
@JudyEv - I understand it. I just couldn't imagine being married to a child. I don't even like kids. 
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@JudyEv (387554)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jul
One mother was left with four children and had no option but to find a husband for the girl. However, after being married and having a baby, her new family has allowed her to go back to school which is great. I shouldn't imagine that happens very often but perhaps I'm wrong.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (193120)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Jul
@JudyEv ........It does sound odd doesn't it?
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (102799)
• India
10 Jul
It was customary to ensure security of the children basically. If they lost a family, to calamities, they would have another family to turn to. When girls became dowry bringers is not something I know. But dowries have made girls a "burden". This is a society that blames a girl if something untoward happens to her.
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@Deepizzaguy (124952)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
10 Jul
I did not that for a fact. Thank you for sharing.
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@JudyEv (387554)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jul
I really feel for people who lose their homes and livelihoods through natural disasters.
@garymarsh6 (24211)
• United Kingdom
10 Jul
That is a fascinating fact which might seem alien to us in the Western world but it wasn't till 1929 that the common law & cannon law permitted marriage at 12 for a girl & 14 for a boy prior to that. The 1929 act raised the age of marriage 16 for both boys & girls..
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@JudyEv (387554)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jul
As awful as it is to Westerners, it's considered 'normal' for these very poor people. I can't see anything changing much until people are more financially stable.
