Impact of Polygamous Marriages on Marital Ties and Family Relationships in District Battgaram of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

This study aimed to empirically examine the impact of polygamous marriages on marital ties and family relationships in District Battgram of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The study used qualitative paradigm wherein data was collected through in-depth interviews with 22 respondents in the targeted locales. The collected data was thematically analysed and findings of the study suggest that polygamous marriage is a common social and cultural practice in the region which has certain social, psychological and financial ramifications for families, spouses, and children. It is concluded from the study that the discriminative behavior of husband and the inequitable allocation of resources among wives in polygamous marriages leads towards feeling of jealousy, marital conflict, unhealthy competition and many other mental health issues. It is recommended that the government needs to frame policies to ensure the social security of women in polygamous marriages and the practice of polygamy may be allowed under peculiar circumstances.