Factors Contributing To The Failure Of Modern Marriage In Tanzania: A Case Of Mbinga District

ABSTRACT

This study examines the factors contributing to the failure of modern marriage in Mbinga district (Tanzania) as a case study. The objective of the study was to understand the main factors contributing to the failure of modern marriage especially social-cultural, economic, technological and political factors. The study employed a descriptive case study and exploratory research design, and deployed mixed method approach for triangulation purposes of data collection, presentation and analysis, in depth interview, questionnaires and documentary review were applied. Sampling methods were purposive for qualitative for study areas, interviewee and simple random sampling for survey respondents. The target populations were conflicting couples, divorced, cohabited couples, unmarried people with appropriate marriage age and those with children out of wedlock. Additionally, social welfare officers, religious leaders, ward and VEOs, customary leaders and hamlet leaders were concerned. The sample size was obtained by using sample size calculator for questionnaire respondents and saturation point for interview respondents. The main findings of the study show that the factors contributing to the failure of modern marriage in Tanzania are multiple and inter related including economic factors, technological advancement, social-cultural and political factors. The investigation unveils that the failure of marriage was on the types and modes of existences whereby, high rate of divorce, cohabitation, conflicting marriage, unmarried people and children out of wed-locks were main indicators. Besides, factors such as economic hardship that relate to low income, effect of marketing system, effects of employment status, busily in economic production activities and economic classes of the people were included. Furthermore, socio-cultural factors such as effects of social changes, demoralization of marriage norms and values, patriarchy system, formal education and traditional practices contributed a lot to marriage failure. However, political factors include effects of democracy that relates to multiparty system, marriage law and gender equity and equality. The study recommends that research on failure of modern marriage must be intensified because it‟s a multiple and complex issues that affect wellbeing of the individual to the high level.