Child marriage is a marriage or similar union, formal or informal, between an adult and a child or youth under a certain age, typically age eighteen.[1][2][3] Child marriage violates the rights of children and has widespread and long term consequences for child brides and grooms. It affects both boys and girls, but it is more common among girls.[4] The legally prescribed marriageable age in some jurisdictions is below 18 years, especially in the case of girls.Even where the age is set at 18 years, cultural traditions may take priority over legislative law and many jurisdictions permit earlier marriage with parental consent or in special circumstances, such as teenage pregnancy. Comprehensive sex education can help to prevent child marriage.Child marriage is related to child betrothal, and it includes civil cohabitation and court approved early marriages after teenage pregnancy. In many cases, only one marriage-partner is a child, usually the female. Causes of child marriages include poverty, bride price, dowry, cultural traditions, laws that allow child marriages, religious and social pressures, regional customs, fear of remaining unmarried, illiteracy, and perceived inability of women to work for money.