Costs of marriage—Marriage transactions in the developing world

Authors

Sajeda Amin, Population Council
Ashish Bajracharya, Population Council

Document Type

Brief

Publication Date

2011

Abstract

Over the past two decades the Population Council has amassed a wealth of information on the causes and correlates of child marriage and documented its adverse effects on the well-being of women and girls. In many parts of the developing world, understanding child marriage is central to designing programs that promote healthy transitions to adulthood. Council research also underscores the importance of rituals and practices of marriage exchange around the globe and documents the considerable variation in these practices. Promoting Healthy, Safe, and Productive Transitions to Adulthood Brief No. 35 synthesizes some broad themes that have emerged from research on the costs of marriage. Even as customs such as dowry capture popular imagination and media attention, there is surprisingly little academic research or empirical evidence to inform judgment for effective programs and policy. This review highlights several important aspects of marriage transactions.

DOI

10.31899/pgy12.1046

Language

English

Comments

Also available in French and Spanish.

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Recommended Citation

Amin, Sajeda and Ashish Bajracharya. 2011. "Costs of marriage—Marriage transactions in the developing world," Promoting Healthy, Safe, and Productive Transitions to Adulthood Brief no. 35. New York: Population Council.