A SOCIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF POLYGAMOUS MARRIAGES AND ITS EFFECTS ON FAMILIAL LIFE

Abstract

The present study “Effects of Polygamous Marriages on Familial Life” was carried out in district Bajaur under a conceptual framework in which violence, children socialization, dowry and property rights were independent variables while effects of polygamous marriages were dependent variable. Data was collected from 384 respondents from a population of 1, 56, 240 households through Uma Sekaran table. A well-thought-out questionnaire was used for data collection. After collection data were entered to SPSS, and Uni-variate test was carried out for prevalence of the causes and chi-square was carried out for association between dependent and independent variables. At Uni-variate level majority of the respondent strongly agree that polygamy causes violence, poor children socialization, effect equal distribution of dowry and property rights. At bivariate level the association between women limited decision making power, limited decision-making power due to biological factors, dowry prevalence, hatred and jealousy among co-wives, dowry prevalence and separation of polygamous families due to unequal distribution of family property were found significant with effects of polygamous marriages. It was concluded that polygamy co-wives face hatred, jealousy and insecurity in polygamous families. Similarly, father could not provide equal care among wives and their children which lead to lower development. Furthermore, property division, owning the parents, and faction and feuds are also the outcomes of failed polygamous marriages. Marital education, ensuring basic marital rights, highlights important teachings and implementation of court decisions with true letter and spirit are recommendations in the light of the study.