Child brides of Yemen

Child brides don't talk about it, but they suffer. A recent study in Yemen has shown that girls who have their rights taken from them in this way do not forgive their parents, and there is a breakdown of family relationships.

Back in 2010, I had come across a video on child brides of Afghanistan. And now, in 2014, things do not look very different. Why are these young girls, some even as young as 10 years forced into marrying men who are old and sometimes as old as their grandfathers!

Is this a way to ensure the women in the society do not ever gain independence, do not ever speak up in front of the men. I am sure that such small children are so scared of these men that they are forever silenced from voicing their opinion. Here is a voice of one odd woman, a doctor, on the child brides of Yemen.

...... girls under 15 are five times more likely to die giving birth.

But, who cares, right? Who bothers about their safety!

Too often girls have no voice, no choice, no access.

Caring through the day

When T was 2 I decided that I wanted to get back to work, and this involved going through many schools hunting down a day care which suited my needs. I did not know whether this was what I wanted for her, but I had gotten to a point where I did not know what I would do with a toddler who wanted to get out and do stuff, but I was a mom who loved my peace and quiet.

Now, its close to a year when T has been in day care and as I look back, one of the outcomes which I see is that she has certainly grown up with a wide range of activities which she has been exposed to, but she has also been exposed to many things which bigger children do, and she is merely copying them. I have also seen many characteristics which were not there a few months back and have suddenly started to emerge. Is this the 3 year old thing, or are these things which she is picking up now with school and she is at a more impressionable age.

I have had my share of issues with T picking up words and things from other kids at day care. But that is something which I had made my peace with, and now I see the stubborn, bratty behaviour and I am a little worried. Maybe a little more patience on my side is also needed. As she grows up and has her own way with things, I need to let things go a little and not control too much. I guess I should also be accustomed to be a guide not an enforcer. I keep reading about bringing in good characteristics and values, and at times I do tend to feel I am nit making the mark.

A long way ahead, and now the journey begins, as I talk to this individual who has a say in everything.

Update: Reading Bingo Challenge

Having had taken up the Reading Bingo Challenge, I thought I should also share what are the books I have been reading as a part of this challenge. I thought there would be many books which will help me check the boxes, but I decided I shall try to read a different book to satisfy each criteria. And, now I think this has made the deal more difficult for me.

Anyways, here goes...

Finished:
A book with a number in the title: The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency
A book with a blue cover: And the mountains echoed
A book by a female author: C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton
A book with a mystery: D is for Deadbeat

Currently reading:
The second book in a series: River of Smoke (Ibis Trilogy)

Book Review: And the mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

This was a book which I bought way back, practically when it was released and then I never got around to reading it. Things just kept piling up on my plate, and this poor soul got shoved deeper and deeper under.

Recently, I did get around to finishing it, and I must say that the book proved to be something I will certainly recommend but, I will also tell you that it is a little slow in between and can leave you overwhelmed with information and tit bits from all over the globe! Its wonderful in a dreamy sort of way, with the story panning between Afghanistan, United States and France, over generations. How the past can haunt you through messengers.

Having said that, I did think that it took a while to get into groove, and took me a while to place the timelines to the different chapters. There was a wee bit of confusion, but that for me, only adds to the fun.

There is not too much about the places, but more about the people from these different places, and how they perceive life to be. What they expect from life... It made me realize again why there is such a huge difference between the way we do things and how our parents would have done or handled similar situations. It talks about human emotions and builds on them. It shows how and where people compromise, to keep others happy, and to achieve their means.

While closing this book, I was in a very pensive mood, thinking about family and wondering what are the compromises done for me to see where I am today. It certainly leaves you in a subdued mood. But, you must read it to experience that!

Image linked to original source

When I know...

There are times when you know what is the right answer and how to go about it. But you just do not want to do it.

Your mind tells you the logical result of your dilemma but your heart does not have the heart to agree to something which feels like a trap.

You have a dream, and you see it going up... poof!

Is that what is called life? Do you just accept and sit back and watch?

Its perfectly right and logical, just not what you want.

How do you solve this now!?