EXPLORINGSOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTSOF DELAYED MARRIAGEAMONG HIGHLY EDUCATED FEMALES

Abstract

The drift of delay marriages is increasing yearafteryearamong highly educated females in Pakistan.Theintention of the researcher in conducting this research was toexplore social as well as economic aspects of delayed marriage among highly educated females inIslamabad the aim of the study was to explore challenges and consequences of highly educated unmarried females. Life Course Perspective and Rational Choice theory were applied in current research. The qualitative study design was used as a method of research. The universe of the study was Islamabad, while the unit of analysis was highly educated unmarried females aged 30-49.The sample was drawn using purposivesampling technique.Interviews were analyzed through thematic analysis.The study findingshighlighted that highly educated females face many challenges in Pakistani society. Interference of relatives exists in both nuclear as well asin joint family systems.Overage highly educated females get unsatisfactory proposals,and theyare labeled as „infertile‟. Intergenerational gap and uncertainty of future also plays a significant role in marriage decision.The socialand economicaspects of delayed marriage werecaste, culture and sect preferences.Highly educated unmarried females get similar status proposals if they own property.The researcher recommends that a comparative study should be conducted to evaluate the delayed marriage patterns of rural and urban-educated females.