Consenting to a Child's Decision to Join a Jihad: Insights from a Survey of Militant Families in Pakistan

This study examines the factors that lead household members to give or refuse consent for other household members to become a militant (or mujahid). Using data derived from a detailed survey fielded among a convenience sample of 141 families of slain militants in Pakistan, this manuscript seeks to explain why some families support participation in jihad and why some families do not. Using the extant literature on recruitment, participation in violent political conflict, and militant Islam as a guide, we posit how and why various household attributes should affect a household member to grant or refuse permission for another household member to wage jihad. We then test our hypotheses implied by our argument using data on households’ financial, religious, and social characteristics. We conclude that a number of social, economic, and religious factors account for variation in household members’ support of jihad.