Impact of Exchange Marriage on Children in Pakistan: Social Security or Insecurity?

Abstract

In this paper I deal with the impact of the exchange marriage system in Pakistan. The system does not only guide in spouse selection, but it is also provide welfare, alliance formation and give strength to kinship. No part of the study, however, dealt with the impact of the system on children anywhere in the world. Based on the qualitative investigation, this article highlights 24 case histories. The Grounded Theory Method guidelines are followed for the data collection and analysis. There are different dimensions of the exchange marriage. However, t h is study reveals child engagement/marriage (even before the birth), forced marriages, mismatch marriage, violence and emergence of domestic conflict in the system of the exchange. This study found drug addiction among children, off and on the street children, children with broken homes, neglected children, and delinquency is due to the system of the marriage. Exchange marriage does not only provide social security and alliance formation but also insecurity and obscured socialization of the children. It is important to have looked on the system of the exchange in development perspective of the future generation. This study highlights the impact of the exchange marriage system among illiterate or low educated people only who strictly follow the system of the exchange.