Comprehensive Child Marriage Research Library
Evaluation of Child Marriage in a Turkish Sample: 8 Years' Data
Author(s):
Object Type:
Karci, Canan Kuygun; Ray, Perihan Cam; Tahiroglu, Aysegul Yolga; Avci, Ayse; Celik, Gonca Gul; Cekin, Necmi; Evliyaoglu, Nurdan
Article; Early Access
Year & Month/Season:
2020
17
January
Publication/Publisher:
Sage Publications Ltd.
Peer Reviewed
true
PDF Available?
true
Public Link:
ISSN (If Available)
1359-1053
If Journal Article:
ISBN (If Book):
Page Start
N/A
Page End
N/A
Volume
N/A
Issue
N/A
DOI
10.1177/1359105319900304
N/A
Students Against Child Marriage's Object Summary:
As a Global Northern nation sharing many similar qualities to the United States, parallels may be drawn from research concerning child marriage in Turkey to child marriage in America. Karci et al.’s study analyzes data concerning 167 minors who appeared in courts between 2008 and 2016 seeking marriage licenses. An analysis of certain demographic and other qualities of these girls ensues, with findings concerning their religion, pregnancy status, whether they were already a mother, and how the court erred as to if the girls were suitable for marriage. In their discussion, Karci and the paper’s coauthors explore the trends observed among the minors at hand along with situational and demographic patterns that seem to correlate with child marriage.
Article Abstract (If Available):
This study aims to examine 167 adolescents who were referred by courts between 2008 and 2016 to prepare medical-legal reports on their suitability for marriage. Most were illiterate or graduates of primary/secondary school; only 17 (10.2%) were still at high school. A total of 95 girls (56.9%) had a religious marriage without a civil certificate, 63 girls (37.7%) were pregnant, and 15 (9%) had a child. According to medical reports, 91 of the girls were considered unsuitable for marriage; 76 girls who were pregnant and/or had a child were also considered unsuitable, so it was necessary to let the judge decide.