ANALYZING GENDERED PRE-MARITAL EXPECTATIONS IN CONTEMPORARY MARRIAGE PRACTICES IN BALOCHISTAN: FROM DOWRY TO SECURITY

Abstract

Marriage in South Asian societies, particularly in Balochistan, Pakistan, has long been shaped by gendered economic practices such as dowry and bride price. Traditionally, marital arrangements involved financial transfers that reinforced patriarchal norms and gender inequality. However, contemporary trends in Balochistan indicate a shift in pre-marital expectations, emphasizing financial stability, housing and economic security often demanded from the groom by the bride’s family. This study explores the sociological transformation from dowry and bride price-based expectations to security-oriented negotiations, analyzing its implications for gender relations, marriage timing and social structures in Balochistan. Drawing on empirical studies, regional data and sociological theories, the paper argues that this shift reflects both changing gender roles and the persistence of patriarchal norms in tribal and urban contexts. The study also proposes SPSS-ready quantitative variables for empirical research. Keywords: Bride Price (Walver), Dowry, Economic Security, Female Autonomy, Gender Relations, Patriarchal Norms, Pre-Marital Expectations, Women’s Empowerment.