A Stain on Humanity: Child Mothers Below the Age of 10 Years

Abstract

Objective: The concept of child mothers includes individuals who have given birth below the age of 18 years. In this study, the subject is addressed of individuals who have given birth at a much younger age (10 years and below).Material and methods: Studies were examined from different countries to examine the information on the ages of cases, types of birth and by whom they had been made pregnant. Results: The child mothers had been made pregnant by the husband in 3 (3%) cases, by the step-father in 11 (12%) cases, by a relative in 30 (32.4%) cases and by others in 35 (37.8%) cases. In 29 caes (31.3%) the identity of the father was not known.Conclusion: This study aimed to be a reminder of the need to overcome child abuse, which is masked by the excuses of religion or tradition, by presenting a reminder of the reality of ‘mothers below the age of 10 years’. Better identification and increased awareness of child abuse will prevent the confusion of it with the historical concept of child mother. By presenting a reminder of one of the greatest shames of humanity in the last century, it is aimed to create an awareness against the concept of child abuse and child bride/child mother.