A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY INTO APPARENTLY CONSENSUAL BUT ACTUALLY FORCED MARRIAGES IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study intends to analyse the prevalent social norm of Pakistani society in which young girls and boys are forced into marriages by their parents through religious, cultural or social pressures. Such marriages are often considered to be consensual but research suggests that they are a result of constant mental pressure and so-called persuasion. This study aims to examine
the ratio of young adults still going through such forceful persuasion, and identifies the proportion that approves or disapproves of this societal practice. This is a conceptual study using mixed methods of research. The lack of existing data is the main limitation of the study due to the fact that this is a less-researched area, making researchers collect data through questionnaires and focus group discussions. The findings show that majority of the youngsters are against forced marriages while considering them as oppression but most of them think the issue of apparently consensual marriages is here to stay