Harmful practices prevail despite legal knowledge: a mixed-method study on the paradox of child marriage in Bangladesh
Outcomes: Child, Early, and Forced Marriage, Sexual and Reproductive Health
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways The study highlights the paradox of child marriage persisting despite near-universal disapproval and awareness of the law. Social norms that favor early marriage for girls—fueled by dowry, fear of harassment, and expectations around femininity and family honor—remain powerful. Norms around male control and economic incentives also drive early marriage for boys. These findings underscore the need to address community beliefs and behaviors in tandem with legal reform to create lasting change.
Objectives This study explored why child marriage persists in Bangladesh despite widespread awareness of its illegality. It aimed to understand the gap between legal knowledge and actual practice, with a focus on the social norms that sustain the practice in high-prevalence districts.
Methods The research used a mixed-method triangulation design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Surveys were conducted with 4,434 respondents from 1,164 households across three districts. These included adolescents aged 10–19 and their parents. In-depth qualitative data was collected through 20 focus group discussions segmented by gender and age.
Intervention Details This baseline study was part of a broader evaluation of a UNICEF-supported trans-media entertainment-education campaign launched in 2017. The campaign aimed to change social norms and prevent child marriage through media messaging and community engagement in high-prevalence regions.
Results Despite nearly universal awareness that child marriage is illegal, the practice remains common. Respondents cited poverty, dowry pressures, fear of sexual harassment, and early marriage among boys as key drivers. While most disapproved of child marriage in theory, many families felt social pressure to conform. Dowry expectations and ineffective legal enforcement—due to bribery, mobility of families, and community complicity—were also significant barriers to change.
Conclusions Legal knowledge alone is insufficient to end child marriage. Deeply entrenched social norms and systemic barriers undermine law enforcement and perpetuate harmful practices. Changing attitudes and behaviors requires multi-level efforts, including education, economic development, gender-transformative programming, and stronger legal accountability mechanisms.
Disclaimer: These summaries were generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and are based on the interpretation of source documents. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and clarity, there may be errors or omissions. Users are encouraged to consult the original documents for complete and authoritative information.