Causes and Consequences of Male Early Marriage A Case Study of Bassira Village

Abstract

Early marriage is a formal or informal union between couples before the age of eighteen years. It is also known as child marriage and teenage marriage. The present study deals with only male early marriage. Early marriage is a violation of basic human right as it is immense hurdle in the development of personality, educational attainment, career, good health, physical structure and superb economic conditions of early married children. The study explores the determinants and perceived prevalence of male early marriages. Furthermore, study also exposes the consequences and impacts of male early marriage in this community. The research was conducted in village Bassira district Layyah. The research methodologies were qualitative and based on case studies. The sample was selected through purposive sampling, snow ball sampling and accidental sampling technique. Research data was collected after rapport building, participant’s observations spending more than four month time in the field research. Fifty four married males in-depth interviews were conducted by employing Qualitative research design. The study reveals that perilous traditional practice, feudal structure of society, fatalistic beliefs, poor legislation, orthodox mind, extremist mind, high illiteracy rate and perceived efficacy were some of the pertinent causes behind the menace. Moreover, it contributed to their poverty and colossal family size, kinship conflicts, family and social compulsion, domestic violence for the lust for political or economic benefits, lack of awareness and patriarchal structure of society. Study also focused on the positive and negative consequences of male early marriage.