Abstract
The present study explores the socio-cultural causes of cousin
marriages. The main objective of the study is to investigate and
explain the social determinants of high prevalence of cousin
marriages in the rural and urban context of Rawalpindi District of
Punjab, Pakistan. An overall sample of 40 respondents was selected
through purposive sampling from the areas of Dhok Paharrian and
Gulshan Abad in Rawalpindi. Qualitative techniques such as
interviews, focus group discussions were employed to gather data
around the topic. The significant results reveal that traditions,
inheritance, dowry, family pressures, cooperation, security,
geographic proximity, caste, sect, love for family and sympathy,
mutual support for family members are the major social
determinants of cousin marriages. Consanguineous marriage is a
dominant mode of marriage pattern despite the awareness of
genetic risks. People think that diseases are linked with destiny and
luck. There is a need for deliberate education, awareness and
legislation that can help and play their role to decrease the rate of
consanguineous marriages.
