Models of Ala-Kachuu
Page 1 of 38 FORCED MARRIAGE: Models of Ala-kachuu Charles Becker Department of Economics, Duke University Susan Steiner Leibniz Universität Hannover and IZA Lin Zhao Department of Economics, Duke University For presentation at the Association for Comparative Economic Studies sessions Allied Social Science Associations Annual Meetings Philadelphia, PA January 4-7, 2018 Abstract This paper provides an economic analysis of the practice of bride abduction based on a neoclassical model of family fertility and consumption. The point of reference is the Kyrgyz Republic in Central Asia, though the practice is not unique to Central Asia. We show that social acceptance of bride kidnapping is rational behavior for an elder generation that values offspring more than the younger generation. It is also rational for prospective grooms seeking to lower wedding costs, and for some potential brides who seek to increase their chances of getting married. Keywords: Forced Marriage, Bride Kidnapping, Marriage Models, Sorting Models, Kyrgyzstan JEL classification: I12, J12 Acknowledgements: We are indebted to many colleagues and associates for discussions of modeling and forced marriage. Particular recognition with respect to the theoretical aspect of modeling is due to Damir Esenaliev, Aliya Ibragimova, Joshua Jacobs, Bakhrom Mirkasimov, Akylai Muktarbek kyzy, and Kani Omurzakova, We are also grateful for comments received on related presentations at Duke University, the 3rd annual Life in Kyrgyzstan conference, the New Economics School, and Stockholm University’s SITE 25th anniversary conference. All errors, omissions, and faulty interpretations remain our own. Becker, Steiner & Zhao Bride Kidnapping 31-Dec-17 Page 2 of 38 I. INTRODUCTION Although conventional “love marriage” is perceived as the standard type of marriage in modern societies, especially among the middle and upper classes, other types of marriage still play important role in forming families elsewhere.
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