Browsing by Author "Mwaipopo, Manu Salome Zacharia"

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    Education as a factor of preferred family size in Tanzania: a case study of Dar es Salaam region
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1990) Mwaipopo, Manu Salome Zacharia
    This study attempted to study the influence of education on preferred family size (micro-level) in Tanzania. The study is based on the data of 110 households where couples were interviewed in a survey which was carried out in Dar es Salaam region between July and September 1988. The study was prompted by the fact that, all previous studies conducted in Tanzania were mainly centred on biological factors on fertility neglecting the influence of education through other social economic factors on preferred family size. In this study, education and profession of women, occupation of husband, costs of rearing children and life styles were used to sum up the influence of education on preferred family size. The findings have shown that couples who are highly educated tend to prefer smaller family sizes as compared to the non or less educated. It was also observed that women who get secondary education or above have chances to peruse highly skilled occupations and they get married to similarly highly educated men. This puts them at the best access to health facilities and knowledge of contraception. Furthermore it was found that education plays a big role in changing individuals' attitudes towards children. It also changes their life styles such that they desire to possess products of modern technology which are economically incompatible with large family sizes. However religion and other cultural factors do impede the effect of education.