02 Marriage and Family Conflicts in Pakistan: Indigenous Model of Conflict Management

Abstract

This article highlights self-regularity mechanisms of domestic conflict management in the marriage exchange system in Southern-Punjab, Pakistan. It deals with domestic conflict, its genesis and consequences. Grounded Theory Method is used for data collection and its analysis. We conducted 24 family case studies. The findings reveal that personal choices, love, and emotion play a minor role in mate selection, ultimately leading to domestic conflict. However, conflicts have a self-regularity system of the management. Contrary to the West, where courts decide conflicts, an elder of the married couple’s family involved will negotiate and settle the issue based on traditional authority in Pakistan. Failure of conflict management attempts lead to a second intervention. Successful negotiations generate solidarity and social cohesion among relatives. However, unsuccessful negotiations lead to revenge or to continuing trouble. The article identifies indigenous domestic models of conflict management.