The Effect of High Bride Price on Marriage Postponement in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

The current pilot study aimed to analyze the effect of high bride price on marriage postponement in district Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The study was carried out using quantitative research design in order to measure and explain the relation among variables. The sampling technique of the study was stratified random sampling which is based on heterogeneous population of different age, education and economic status. The sampling size of the study was 100. The data were collected through online questionnaires. The Survey Questionnaire was designed in such a way that it incorporated data pertaining to bride price, socio-economic factors, and personal opinions. The data were analyzed through Descriptive statistical technique (Frequency, mean, median, mode, standard deviation) and inferential statistical technique (Pearson co-relation) were used to analyze the data using SPSS. The theoretical framework for research is rational choice theory. The results of the study revealed that high bride price, socio-economic constraints, and consumerist lifestyle expectations are positively associated with marriage postponement among unmarried men in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The majority of the respondents agreed with regard to delaying marriage due to economic reasons, and the results from both descriptive and correlation analyses revealed strong agreements with respect to the delay in marriage due to marriage costs, including the cost of bride price. The findings strongly justify the claim that the delay in marriage is not only due to individual preferences but is largely influenced by economic conditions surrounding marriage. Finally, majority of the respondents reported that financial constraints, unemployment, low income, and high marriage-related expenses prevent them from marrying on time.