Some Consequences of Rising Age at Marriage in Pakistan

Nuptiality changes have been at the core of demographic transitions in Europe and in several Asian societies [Caldwell (1993)]. Delayed marriages have been seen as precursors of fertility change in most societies. They underlie changes in family formation patterns and living arrangements, which ultimately are the bases of demographic transition. The concomitants of profound changes in marriage behaviour are worth studying because of their impact on demographic outcomes such as the population growth rate and fertility. Moreover, they are also strongly connected to the role and status of women, family living arrangements and power structures. The most prominent outcome of the rise in proportions single is that most young men and particularly young women begin experiencing profound changes in their lives. They essentially have several years of their lives "freed" from the responsibilities and changes associated with marriage, and in the case of girls from reproduction. The delay in marriage for females in particular has direct impact on delaying the age of sexual initiation and the age at first birth (since almost all childbearing occurs within marriage). But most importantly, it has direct influences on raising the potential for a larger amount of time between childhood and "adult" responsibilities allowing young people to develop their capabilities in terms of education and work.