Trends and Differentials in Age at First Marriage by Caste in India -- Factors Promoting Child Marriages of Girls

This paper examines trends and differentials in age at marriage by caste in five major States of India, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh using data of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3, 2005-‘06). Changes in age at marriage have been studied in four caste groups– representing a hierarchical socioeconomic stratification of the Indian society, namely, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Castes, and Others. The latter category includes higher caste Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Trends in age at marriage are analyzed using four marriage cohorts. Results suggest that differentials in median ages at marriage by caste have widened over time: Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Castes showed little change; whereas ‘Scheduled Tribes’ and ‘Others’ recorded rapid transition. Differentials in marrying below legal ages– 21 years for boys and 18 years for girls, though on rise, vary largely by caste. Despite Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1978 and Government of India’s efforts to make the legislation effective, marriages of boys and girls below legal ages continue to be a social reality. The study highlights factors and beliefs that promote child marriages of girls. Finally, the study attempts to identify socioeconomic factors associated with the practice of child marriages.