Consequences of Skewed Sex-Ratio on Bridal Trafficking and Non-Marital Unions in Haryana State of India: Its Socio-Cultural and Economic Dimensions

Pradeep Kumar Bhargava, Maharshi Dayanand University
Salman Hyder, Maharshi Dayanand University
Tanya Gandhi, Maharshi Dayanand University

Haryana- one of the states of India has the unconvinced distinction of having the most awful sex ratio. As consequences the demand for bride is also being fulfilled by human trafficking. The present paper examines factors responsible for bridal trafficking in Haryana and its conversion into non-marital unions as well as their fertility behavior. The study is based on the collection of primary data from 300 women who were trafficked to Haryana. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques adopted for the collection of data from the respondents. The findings of the study show that in many parts of Haryana the trafficked women are forced to get married or live in the family against their desire without performing marital ceremony. There is also prevalence of trend toward polyandry. It is to caution that the demand for marriageable age girls would continue to be high in the coming 10 to 15 years.