Submitted by : Aimen Abbasi

INTRODUCTION
DETERMINANTS
Traditions and customs: Traditions are beliefs with particular consensus
through time. Custom is a practice followed by people of a particular
group or a pattern of habitual activity. Rajyalaxmi (1990) mentioned
that the custom of early marriage is more prevalent in Rajasthan, in
the spoken language it was said that the infant was being married in
Pile Potare (yellow napkin).
Lack of Education: High rate of early marriage is caused due to low level
of female literacy and low status of women (Sharma, 2003; UNICEF,
2001).
 Caste: The caste hierarchy also perhaps had its
role to play in perpetuating early marriage
(Birodkar, 2006). Findings of the study (Reddy,
1998) revealed a marked caste differences in
the age at marriage of females among the
different Hindu castes.
Protection of Girl and Absence of Father: Early
marriage is one way to ensure that a wife is
‘protected’, or placed firmly under male control.
She is submissive to her husband and works
hard for her in-laws’ household; that the
children she bears are ‘legitimate’; and that
bonds of affection between couples do not
undermine the family unit. Girls will be better
off and safer with a regular male guardian
(Caldwell, John & Pat, 1977).
 Socio- Economic Status: Caste, occupation,
income and educational backgrounds of the
people are considered as the important socio-
economic variables to assess the socio
economic status of the people in the society.
These socio- economic differentials
significantly affect the age of marriage (Reddy,
1998).
PSYCHOSOCIAL

Traditions and customs: Traditions are beliefs with

particular consensus through time. Custom is a practice
followed by people of a particular group or a pattern of
habitual activity.

Lack of Education: High rate of early marriage is caused

due to low level of female literacy and low status of
women (Sharma, 2003; UNICEF, 2001).
Violence and Abandonment:

UNICEF (2005) Domestic violence is more common among

women, who had been married during childhood. India has
the highest levels of domestic violence (67%) among
women married before 18 years.

Life Satisfaction: A satisfied woman gives due regards to

other people’s feelings, is kind and tolerant to others and in
general is more cautious, less touchy, less irritable and less
critical (Narang,1996
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The current study intends to examine the effects
of various socio-economic and other factors on
the pattern of age at marriage and its psycho-
social consequences in certain selected rural
areas.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Most studies have focused on the impact of

early marriage on fertility rather than to better
understand psycho-social consequences.
The present investigation was planned to
examine the marital age and its determinants
and psycho-social consequences of marriage
age on development of a girl child.
 From the cited literature and personal
observations, it was found that early marriages
are more common in rural area with its hard
consequences.
 From the cited literature and personal
observations, it was found that early marriages
are more common in rural area with its hard
consequences.
 It was felt necessary to study the effects of
various socio-economic and other factors on the
pattern of age at marriage and its psycho-social
consequences rural areas.
OBJECTIVES
 To assess the socio- economic status (SES) and
demographic components of the respondents
under study.
 To find out the significant differences and
impact of SES components on age at marriage
(M-age) of the respondents belonging to
different SES.
 To find out the significant differences and
impact of determinants of early marriage (DEM)
components on M-age of the respondents
belonging to different SES.
HYPOTHESIS
 SES components will show significant differences and
impact on M-age and G-age of the respondents
belonging to different socio- economic status.
 DEM components will show significant differences and
impact on M-age and G-age of the respondents
belonging to different socio- economic status.
 M-age and G-age of the respondents belonging to
different socio- economic status will show significant
differences and impact on their PSC components.
METHODOLOGY
SAMPLE
 Rural areas of of Pakistan will be selected
purposively as the locale of study.
• Socio-economic status – The subjects belonging to
different socio-economic status i.e. Upper, middle
and lower will be included in the sample.

• Age at marriage- Respondents married before the

legal age of marriage i.e. 18 years.