World & Nation

Growing up fast: Boys in western Nepal enter into arranged marriages

Teenager Deva Reidas gets the name of his wife-to-be tattooed on his forearm as children in their village of Shihokhor, Nepal, look on.

Teenager Deva Reidas gets the name of his wife-to-be tattooed on his forearm as children in their village of Shihokhor, Nepal, look on.   (Shashank Bengali/Los Angeles Times)

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According to a custom that has been observed for generations, young boys in western Nepal often enter into marriages arranged by their families - even though law prohibits marriage prior to the age of 18.

Taking an exam

Students sit for an exam outside a schoolhouse in western Nepal. High rates of child marriage mean that many Nepalese boys begin leaving school at age 13.  (Shashank Bengali/Los Angeles Times)

Married at 12

Mathura Dhobi, who was married at age 12, outside his family home in Shihokhor, Nepal.  (Shashank Bengali/Los Angeles Times)

Gathering straw

Shivapujan Dhobi gathers straw from the family’s small farm outside Shihokhor, Nepal.  (Shashank Bengali/Los Angeles Times)

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