Nineteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

In-depth analysis of the complex relationship between child marriages in Pakistan and the deeply ingrained patriarchal ideologies that influence and support this practise is provided in this study. Interviews with professionals from numerous fields of social sciences were performed using a qualitative method to discover recurrent themes illuminating the root causes of child marriages in Pakistan. The themes that emerged from qualitative data explains how the son preference encourages families to marry off young girls to ensure lineage continuation and establish alliances, while the property disputes links early marriages to preserving family assets. Additionally, damaging traditions and customs that are supported by false notions about religion are crucial in defending this practice. Girls are considered as burdens in the gender discrimination movement’s broader framework, which supports the predominance of child marriages. This study underscores the influence of deeply ingrained patriarchal ideologies in promoting child marriages in Pakistan and emphasizes the necessity to challenge these beliefs to address the issue effectively.