A comparative analysis of the effects of extended family on development of households in rural and urban areas: a case of Mchafukoge in Dar es salaam and Busolwa in Geita rural district, Mwanza region

The aim of this dissertation was to investigate comparatively the effects of extended family on development of households in selected rural and urban Tanzania. The dissertation sought to answer the main questions namely: what is the trend and pattern of effects of extended family on rural and urban development overtime, influenced by the economic status of our nation and the current market-oriented economy? Does the trend remain static or dynamic? Which were the forces behind the dynamism and why? The study was guided by theoretical explanations and administered through secondary and primary findings. It was found that, there has been a considerable expansion on extended family operation and parameters, which has constantly been influenced by social and economic dynamism. Due to forces of modernization, urbanization, industrialization and the current globalization, there was indeed convergence towards more contemporary fashion in the way extended family operates. Also conjugal family has resulted in this dynamism whereas in some families extended family is rare; there is free choice of spouse, the authority of the parents over the child and of the husbands over the wife declines in some families while the equality of gender especially in inheritance emerged with much awareness. However large family size is seen to be a challenge to the majority of respondents. Apart from formal social security schemes, extended family remains to be powerful institution in almost every aspect of Tanzanians, Indians and Arabs life that permanently dwell in rural and urban Tanzania. The study recommended that there should be coordinated efforts between public-private partnership in reducing family social contingencies and improving economic conditions of Tanzanian families.