Reconnoitering the Impact of Education on Observance of Purdah (Veil)

Abstract

The study was designed to explore perceptions of different stakeholders regarding the impact of education on the observance of Purdah in the wake of modernization. To examine the phenomena, the Survey methodology was used for investigation. The quantitative data was obtained through a five-point Likert scale questionnaire from different sampled groups i.e. intellectuals, lawyers, politicians, community leaders, and literary persons. The data was analyzed through univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. The association between independent and dependent variables was measured through Chi-square (χ2) whereas multivariate analysis was employed while controlling marital status. The overall findings signposted a non-significant and positive relationship between increased schooling breaks down traditional values and norms, including family values and change in observance of Purdah. On another hand, a significant and positive relationship was identified between education as one of the important indicators of modernization in Pakhtun society and the dependent variable. Similarly, the relationship between modernization leads to the emergence of different types of education systems in Pakistan, and the observance of Purdah was noticed as significant and positive. The overall test statistics of the multivariate analysis revealed a highly significant, positive, and non-spurious relationship.