Saturday, March 10, 2007

And they call it puppy love...


What were you doing when you were 13? Riding a bike? Just started studying in secondary school? Most kids wouldn't even be thinking ahead to life in college or career choice. Maybe beginning to notice members of the opposite gender? But I'm quite sure even if you did notice someone you fancied you wouldn't be thinking of marriage, right?

In the local news yesterday, the marriage of a pair of 13 year olds was reported. To me, it sounds like they were "rushed" into marriage by others. Do they know what marriage is? What marriage entails? That it's a lifetime commitment between two people?

They just met last month. And when they started dating, their village headman summoned them and told them they should get married. Why? To avoid extra-marital sex? By encouraging sexual relations between minors as long as it's legalized? *faint* And their families had no objection as it is the local custom that permits marriage as long as both parties have reached puberty. The most ludicrous part of this piece of news is that this marriage is apparently condoned by the government, evidenced by the fact that the wedding was organized by the state government as well as the attendance of the State Islam Hadhari Development and Welfare committee chairman.

10 spins:

L B said...

When I was 13, I had just embarked on my first pair of long pants! Shucks!! Ok, I had girlfriends, but.... Hey, you never know! It could work.. We could help each other do our homework! And we could even sit side by side in class!! How cool! And ,... *shudders to think about the rest*.... LOLOLOL!!

may said...

omg! I wonder what kind of lives they'll lead, together forever for a very, very long time. no 2nd love, 3rd love, flings, having fun with the opposite sex? lol! oh well... at least they don't have to keep searching for a partner...

rinnah said...

l b: Hey, you were a fast worker! *wink* Girlfriends (in multiple?) already at 13! LOL!

may: Well maybe they won't go thru heartache too... but I wonder how you would know at 13 whether that guy/gal is right for you... I still don't know at my age! *embarassed grin*

mistipurple said...

i guess one will never know. some make it, many don't. too many elements involved in holding that marriage ya?

Jo said...

I m still a kid when i m 13. Running around and playing.. never even think of what is dating and marriage is all around. Marriage at 13.. cant really imagine what the world is turning into

rinnah said...

mistipurple: It's to be hoped that they are one of those who make it, yea? Making a marriage last takes a lot of work.

jo: So was I! The most important thing on my mind was doing well in exams. Nowadays, even my 7 year old nephew tells me he had girlfriends in kindergarten! 0.0 And not just one, he has a few. This one is his future wife, the other one is just his girlfriend. Can you imagine that...

l b: Waaaahh... My first and second tags from you... Must go see see now...

Chen said...

I was shocked too when I read the news last Friday... I was engrossed with study at the age of 13 :P

kyh said...

13 i still dreaming... KKK!

maybe they are too keen on S.E.X? who knows...

btw, by tying the knot at this kinda tender age, they've lost their childhood...and potential frenships...

imagine when they turn 14, the boy tells his parents, "maaaaa... my wife is pregnant!" *FAINT*

fishtail said...

Gila, simply gila. Just when we thought we were in the 21st century, we have a tradition practised during biblical times. Malaysia Boleh!

rinnah said...

chen: We are so good, hor? Only think of study study study...

kyh: Dreaming of what? *giggle*

0.0 I don't want to think of what will happen if little ones start popping out year after year!

fishtail: Aptly put, Mr Warren! This ain't 21st century thinking, it's backwards thinking...

simple american: Ah, but nice simple childhood it was, wasn't it? Not complicated with in-laws and out-laws and the possibility of kids...