Teen marriages reflect plight of left-behind rural children

PHOTOS OF A 16-YEAR-OLD boy and girl being "married" in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, triggered heated discussion on Chinese social media last month, as the legal age for marriage in China is 22 for males and 20 for females. More couples like them have reportedly been discovered in neighboring towns and counties. Concerted efforts are needed to discourage teenagers from rushing into premature marriages, said cjn.cn:

Most of those who "get married" under the legal marriageable age are "left-behind" teenagers in underdeveloped regions. Due to the lack of proper parenting and school education, they tend to start early relationships with those that have similar backgrounds.

But rushing into a serious relationship unprepared does no good to underage youths. They are not mature enough to start a family. Some reportedly even sell their babies in exchange for a new smartphone or a motorcycle.