Stephanie Sinclair

Her project " Too Young to Wed " shows the struggles of young children who are being forced into marriages with older men and the problems surrounding this culture's traditions. Her photographs are powerful and striking yet she is documenting what is normal practice in some cultures, there is now help being put in place to protect these young girls however until communities change then the marriages will continue, as many families are shamed and outcast from villages if their daughters are not wed.


Community Expectations

Tehani, age 8 (Yemen)

Tehani works in the fields just outside her village in the rural areas of Hajjah, Yemen

This image is showing a young girl who should be in school or playing with friends but instead she is working in the fields, possibly to support her family and gather food for them. Although the information given with the photo does not say about her marital status it is my belief she is already married or engaged. It is a touching image because it makes the viewer feel a connection to the girl and want to help her have a real childhood.


Journeys

Leyualem, age 14

Leyualem is transported by mule to her new home on her wedding day. The men later said the cloth was placed over her head so she would not be able to find her way back home, should she want to escape the marriage.

I think that the huge impact of the photograph comes from not only the scene within but also the caption. The choice of words that the men have given the photographer shows the marriage was not consensual as they say the newly wed bride would want to "escape the marriage" rather than saying "visit her family".