When Is A Good Age to Get Married?

Article: In Nepal, there is a custom for parents to marry off their boys around age 9. The law says you cannot get married before age 18, but the law is not always followed, particularly for Hindus who are of the lowest caste. The marry off their children young because they cannot afford to take care of them and the dowries are lower the younger the child. What is a dowry? What are types of dowries we see in the Western world? (Bride's family pays for wedding? Wedding gifts?) Often kids around age 9 will get married, then go back to live with their families. When they are around 12, the girls go to live with the boy's family, often serving as servants for the mother-in-law. The boys drop out of school and start working. When you ask the kids, they say they don't want to get married so young but do not have a choice. This has been the tradition for generations. What do you think of this? Does your family have any traditions that you do not like? If so, how would you try to change them?