Pictures of two 16-year-olds getting married have shocked netizens in China since they were posted online on Monday.
The two children belong to Mashan county in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. According to Nanguo Morning News, they knew each other for over a year and were married in a ceremony last week.
After questions were raised online, the girl, surnamed Wu, clarified that their parents had agreed to the marriage and their relatives had attended the wedding. Moreover, she sought to dispel rumors that her husband was 13 years old, telling Nanguo Morning News that he was 16 years old.
The marriage, of course, has no legal recognition. As per Chinese law, men can marry only once they turn 22, while the legal age of marriage for women is 20.
Moreover, the National Marriage Law stipulates that people who desire to enter into a marriage contract must register in person with the marriage registration office. Only after they acquire the requisite certifications is the marriage considered legal.
Discussing this, Wu said that they had for now held the ceremony, but will be registering the marriage only after they reach the legal age.
In many villages in China, people tend to prefer early marriages in order to ensure the continuation of the family line. Moreover, in some rural areas, there is a belief that a marriage witnessed by family members and relatives is legal.
On social media in the country, users have been very critical of the decision by the couple and their parents.
“How can they know what love is and what a family is? This marriage is irresponsible. As they grow up, their worldview will change. There is a 99% chance of divorce,” said @Weixiaochun on Sina Weibo.
“Younger sister (Wu), you will regret this when you grow up,” said another user named
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