BELIEFS AND PRACTICE OF EARLY MARRIAGE AMONG PAKHTOONS IN HAZRO, ATTOCK

Practice of early marriages among women is a chronic social problem in the rural areas of Pakistan and is most prevalent among pakhtoons. Centuries old customs and traditions are stimulating factors for this practice due to which firm beliefs and practices are legitimized by the community. The study sheds light on the socio-economic gains of this practice perceived by the people of the community, simultaneously highlighting the devastating effects of early marriage on young females. The study was conducted in Waisa, Nartopa, Bangi villages in tehsil Hazro, Attock among the pakhtoon families residing there. A sample of 128 households was drawn using purposive and snowball sampling technique in order to get a qualitative and in-depth understanding of the issue. Various qualitative research techniques such as in-depth interviews, open ended questionnaires and participant observation were used. The analysis of the data revealed that the practice of early marriage of female is deeply rooted in the traditional social structure which leads to physiological and psychological problems among females.