Child Marriage - Acceptance by Association

This article argues that the effective elimination of child marriage requires, in part, that the practice be correctly named and defined. The use of the term 'marriage' in 'child marriage' is misleading and inappropriate, because it suggests moral and social approval. A new term 'paedogamy' is proposed to accurately describe the practice of young children forced into marriage. By using paedogamy instead, scholars and organizations can better articulate the sacrificed to autonomy and the problematic lack of valid consent given in ‘child marriages’.