Impact of early marriages on child care: Mbarali District, Mbeya region, Tanzania
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Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
Early marriage is a serious problem in the world and Tanzania is among the countries with high prevalence of early marriages. Despite the fact that there are a lot of measures taken against it in the country, still there is high prevalence in rural areas particularly in Mbarali District. This study mainly aimed at investigating the impact of early marriages on child care in Mbarali District based on interviews, focus group discussion and observation conducted to a sample of 200 married women of reproductive ages (15-49) and 30 homeless children. This study was guided by three specific objectives which were, to examine the social background of early marriage women, to assess the contribution of early marriage in the failure of children to attend school, and to evaluate the relationship between earl marriage and the presence of homeless children. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative approach in data collection and analysis. Findings of this study suggest that, early marriages are common in this area with 41.5% of the respondents married before reaching age 18. Furthermore, the findings revealed that women who are from disadvantaged social background like no education, no specialized occupation, have parents with no education and with no specialized occupation; were marriage at younger age compared to those who have better social background. Moreover, the result confirm that these early married women are having children who are not attending school because they have many children, they are poor and they got into marriage themselves while lacking formal education. Again this study revealed that some homeless children were born with mothers who were married at an early age. This study recommends that, there should be strict implementation of the initiatives, policies and enacted laws that aim at reducing early marriages in rural areas
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr.Wilbert Chagula Library, (THS EAF HQ778.7.T34K526)
Keywords
Child care, Early marriage, Mbarali district, Mbeya region, Tanzania
Citation
Kinyaga, T. I (2019) Impact of early marriages on child care: Mbarali District, Mbeya region, Tanzania Taraji Idd Kinyaga, Masters dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.