PHOTOS OF A 16-YEAR-OLD boy and girl being "married" in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, triggered heated discussion on Chinese social media last month, as the legal age for marriage in China is 22 for males and 20 for females. More couples like them have reportedly been discovered in neighboring towns and counties. Concerted efforts are needed to discourage teenagers from rushing into premature marriages, said cjn.cn:

Most of those who "get married" under the legal marriageable age are "left-behind" teenagers in underdeveloped regions. Due to the lack of proper parenting and school education, they tend to start early relationships with those that have similar backgrounds.

But rushing into a serious relationship unprepared does no good to underage youths. They are not mature enough to start a family. Some reportedly even sell their babies in exchange for a new smartphone or a motorcycle.

Many local governments are trying their best to dissuade teenagers from dropping out of school early. Their efforts, however, have a limited role in controlling premature relationships and marriages given the astonishing number of "leftover men" in rural areas.

That generation after generation is haunted by poverty in these areas is a result of local villagers' short-sightedness in their understanding of life, as shown by premature marriages. Burdened with family responsibility, youngsters find it difficult to improve their well-being.

Families, schools, and relevant social organizations all have their respective part to play in changing the attitudes of youngsters. But integrated policies ranging from social welfare to boosting economic development are needed to improve the livelihoods of rural residents.