Sir: The tradition of getting a girl married early is one that has existed in our system for ages. When girls here cross their mid-teens, getting them engaged and marrying them off becomes the foremost priority of their parents.

Some of these girls are content getting married at that time and conforming to the established norms but the majority accepts this tradition against its wishes. Such girls leave their education incomplete; even those who manage to convince their in-laws or parents cannot study properly because their attention is diverted from studies. This not only handicaps them in their path but also makes them totally dependent on others. Through this letter, I wish to address all respectable parents and ask them why they want their sons to become successful businessmen while their daughters become compromising housewives.

ZEHRA JAWAD
Karachi

Source: Daily Times

Date:9/26/2011