It is my understanding that the commencement of puberty in a woman (menarche) is often dependent on her diet. Those who lack sufficient fat are unlikely to have their courses much before the age of 16 or 17. I also believe that the frequency of puberty in very young girls ( say 8 to 10) in Western culture is associated with the wave of obesity sweeping through our culture.
While one might look upon the marriage of Mohammed to a 9 year old girl with some degree of horror (as do I) such customs are not unusual even today. For example, the practice of girls marrying at a young age is most common in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia . There are also parts of West and East Africa and of South Asia where marriages much earlier than puberty are not unusual. 7% of girls in Nepal marry before the age of 10.3. and 40% marry before the age of 15.4
- 50% of girls in Amhara, Ethiopia marry before age 15.5. While India has legislation against child marriage, it is still widespread, particularly among the very poor. There are many adverse consequences of early marriage, one of the most horrific being Obstetric fistula -- rupturing of the vagina and rectum causing persistent leakage of feces and urine -- is a health risk commonly associated with child marriage because of the mother’s physical immaturity at the time of childbirth.
Countries with a high incidence of child marriage are also more likely to have high levels of persistent poverty, low educational levels for girls, high levels of maternal and child mortality, and greater levels of maternal and child malnutrition.
IMNSHO, the real test of a principle or belief is its effect upon a community or culture. The principle may make a lot of sense in the abstract yet have devastating consequences on the lives of individuals. The association of Jihad with genocidal assaults on those identified as unbelievers (for example, the attack on Karbala by the armies of Al-Saud- Wahhabi in 1801 and the massacre of the people of Taif in 1802 ) is a direct consequence of Abdal al-Wahhab's desire for Islamic reform.
Insofar as Baha'is have not created an actual Baha'i State it is very difficult for any of us to predict the effect of Baha'i teachings and principle will have on the body politic. However, we may be protected by the actual formation of a divinely inspired administrative process.
The insistence of equal education and social opportunity for women is likely to produce a far more stable and healthy populace. For example, when women are given opportunities to work outside the home they spend their earned income very differently than men, focusing on three key areas: education, health and nutrition for their families. So when women are able to earn money, educational opportunities for the children and overall health and nutrition improve dramatically. Naturally, I believe that education, particularly literacy, is essential for a woman's economic productivity.
Well I've rambled on enough, Warn Wishes, Elainna * The Doors are open at Elainna's New Place http://elainna.org The Wild Side http://elainnas-wild-side.net
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