I've often extolled the writing and images produced by National Geographic. This recent article stands out, even among the usual excellent work of NG: "Too Young to Wed: The Secret World of Child Brides." The gallery of photos included at the website really brings the point of the article home. This topic leaves a huge pit in my stomach. I'm having a difficult time not thinking about the little girls featured in the article, in that they are being sexually abused, and otherwise treated as property, and that's what child marriage comes down to. And many of them are being beaten, as well. That's about what one should expect when the relationship is so incredibly lopsided with regard to money and power. It's incredibly shocking and it makes me appreciate that our culture does not tolerate this type of behavior.