Factors Influencing Choices for Early Marriage in Urban Informal Settlements of Bangladesh

Raia Azmi, Md Uzzal Chowdhury, Hasna Hena Sara, Subas Chandra Biswas, Sairana Ahsan, Syeda Seama Mowri, Rafia Sultana, Tanvir Hasan and Sabina Faiz Rashid
Additional contact information
Raia Azmi: Noora Health, Bangladesh
Md Uzzal Chowdhury: Centre for Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (CGSRHR), BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Hasna Hena Sara: Centre for Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (CGSRHR), BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Subas Chandra Biswas: CARE, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Sairana Ahsan: Centre for Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (CGSRHR), BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Syeda Seama Mowri: Centre for Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (CGSRHR), BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Rafia Sultana: Centre for Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (CGSRHR), BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladeshz
Tanvir Hasan: Centre for Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (CGSRHR), BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Sabina Faiz Rashid: Centre for Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (CGSRHR), BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Progress in Development Studies, 2021, vol. 21, issue 3, 298-320

Abstract: This study explores factors that shape parents’ decisions as to whether or not to arrange an early marriage of a girl child in the context of urban informal settlements in Bangladesh. The article draws on data from a larger mixed methods study conducted in two informal urban settlements of Bangladesh, and the analysis was guided by the theory of social exchange. The study found the following factors leading to early marriage: endemic poverty, high dowry costs for older girls, parents’ lack of wider social networks, adolescents dropping out of school, crime and insecurity, love affairs between adolescents and community pressure. Collaboration between government and non-government programmes to improve education, implementation of supportive laws, and greater formal economic opportunities for residents, including adolescents, in urban informal settlements, are critical to prevent early marriage in these environments.

Keywords: Early marriage; urban informal settlements; lack of options; insecurity; social exchange theory; Bangladesh (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:prodev:v:21:y:2021:i:3:p:298-320

DOI: 10.1177/14649934211023003

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