EARLY MARRIAGES AMONG THE BASOGA 

1.1 Background of the study

Marriage is a social institution that unites people in a special form of mutual dependence for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family. As a social practice entered into through a public act, religious or traditional ceremony, it reflects the purposes, character and customs of the society in which it is found. Many societies have norms that limit the age of young girls to enter into marriage, but in some cases the age limit does not take into consideration their physiological readiness for childbearing. Marriage often takes place at ages much earlier than the legally ratified minimum age. Early marriage is the marriage of children and adolescents below the age of 18 years (Tenywa, 2009).

Early marriage is used to refer both formal marriage and informal unions in which a girl lives with a partner as if married before age of 18,Early marriage also known as child marriage is defined as “any marriage carried out below the age of18 years before the girl is physically, physiologically ready to shoulder the responsibilities of marriage and child bearing ”Child on the other hand, involves other one or both spouses being children and may take place with or without formal registration and under civil religious or customary laws (Odoch, 2011). 

In several culture girls are forced to be married at a very early age due to various reasons such as getting dowry, the fear of some parents that their daughters would get pregnant while at home. It was considered shameful for a girl to get pregnant outside wedlock. Other factors include unequal power relations and economic hardship. This also exposes girls to unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS and abortions as common problems among adolescents worldwide. This also account as to why adolescents suffer more from related complications, such as maternal and infant death.

In Basoga region, early marriage has denied girls the right to enjoy their childhood, the right to education and the right to a husband of her own choice and of her age. When young girls are forced to marry someone who is older than herself and if it happens that husband dies the chances of such girls to become a widow at an early age are high. But not only will that young mothers be left to take care the young children by themselves.

1.2. Problem Statement 

Early marriage is found to be a serious problem as it is associated with so many life related problems which may also constitute a threat to the living conditions of people in Uganda. Teenage may experience emotional and academic problems during pregnancy as they are not accustomed with becoming mother. Early marriage may be associated with financial problems and economic difficulties owing to the growing number of teens that require to be taken care of and this may require a high cost to the government of Uganda. Early marriage increases the burden to the country’s economic development and is among the factors of demographic pressure that is perceived to be a serious problem to the development programmes. Though measures were taken to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancies in Uganda, a number of pregnant teens are yearly perceived in some parts of Uganda and it was in this perspective that this study intends to investigate determinants of early marriages among Basoga girls in Ikumbya Sub County, Luuka District. 

1.3. Research Objectives 

1.3.1. General Objective 

This study wants to explore the determinants of early marriages among Basoga girls in Ikumbya Sub County, Luuka District. 

1.3.2. Specific Objectives 

This study focuses on the following specific objectives: 

1. To identify the causes of early marriage 
2. To establish the consequences of early marriage in social settings. 
3. To identify possible challenges in the prevention of early marriage and formulate appropriate strategies.

1.4. Research Questions 

This research will be guided by the following research questions: 

1. What are the causes of early marriage? 
2. What are the consequences of early marriage in social and educational settings? 
3. What are the possible challenges in the prevention of early marriage and formulate appropriate strategies? 

1.5. Justification of the Research 

The research indicates the causes of early marriage and its consequences and stimulates local leaders and policy makers to formulate and implement policies for preventing early marriage 

1.6. Scope of the Study 

Content scope

The study will be limited to three research specific objectives namely. (i) to identify the causes of early marriage, (ii) to establish the consequences of early marriage in social settings and (iii) to identify possible challenges in the prevention of early marriage and formulate appropriate strategies. 

Geographical scope

This study will be carried out Ikumbya Sub County, Luuka District which is one of the districts in Uganda

Time scope

The study will take a period of three months in 2018. 

1.7. Significance of the study

It will increase the researchers’ personal skills in research.

To the policy makers, the findings will help to contribute the prevention of early marriage and thereby improve the children and families’ welfare. 

The study findings will be a reference for other students and researchers who will be interested in the same field.

It will facilitate religious principles in the young ones.

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

In this chapter the related literature review is presented objective by objective.

2.1 To identify the causes of early marriage

There are several factors which contribute to the causes of early marriage, but seems to be one of the major causes among girls from poor communities. The causes of pregnancy in this paper include culture, financial security, lack of education and relationships. All these causes have, in one way or another, something to do with poverty.

2.1.1 Cultural Influence

Cultures have influence on how early girls should fall pregnant or get married. If girls are in a community where girls get married young they are all obliged to follow suit. Erosion of African traditional norms and values on sexual behaviour, inadequate involvement of women in decision making on issues concerning reproductive health and the prevalence of female circumcision cause women to have unplanned babies. 

Forced marriages practised in certain cultures culminate in girls having babies at tender ages. Some families put pressure on their children to get married when they are still too young. Cultural nuances such as children born of teenage parents choosing the same path as their parents or having a family member in prison (Brown 1999; Whalen and Loper 2014) can add to the concerns. The more the children in a family, the poorer they become as they scramble for resources such as food, clothes, proper sanitation and enough room. Therefore, government is blamed for not providing housing for unplanned children born to young mothers who are supposed to be at school.

Family breakdown caused by divorce or the migrant labour system results in children taking care of themselves due to lack of a father figure. When love is not present at home, girls may be forced to look for places where they will feel loved. Sometimes girls themselves want to prove their womanhood due to lack of proper parental guidance. Young girls sometimes want to experiment with sex. The religious leaders or churches sometimes do assist by teaching people to have good morals and condemn early marriage as well (Preston-Whyte et al. 1988; Wanjohi 2010).

2.1.2 Financial Insecurity

Ipanteco (2014) argues that poverty is one major contributor to teen pregnancy among poverty stricken girls. Bruenig (2012) asserts that high rates of early marriage are a feature of inequality and not a cause of it. He emphasizes that pregnancy is a symptom of poverty. Kamper (2013) adds that poverty causes teen parenting and not the other way round. GPCC (2006) states that the youth living in poverty have a teen pregnancy rate of five times the average rate. The poor socio-economic circumstances seem to play a major role in increasing rates of early marriage. Teenage girls from low income families are falling pregnant at a higher rate than those from middle and upper income families.

Posel (2013) stresses that adolescent pregnancy most often is caused by lack of access to schools, employment, quality information and health care. Early pregnancy reflects powerlessness, poverty and pressures from partners, peers, families and communities. In South Africa all children have access to free education and health services. It can be argued that private schools offer a better education as compared to public schools (Muligwe 2012). 

Also, the private health sector offers better health care service as compared to the public health care sector because most of the public health care sectors’ resources are overstretched (Motswaledi, 2013). Even if South Africa experiences high levels of poverty and unemployment, and poverty among children is extremely high, government policies promote poverty alleviation (Chitiga et al. 2014). The CSG is a cash grant targeted to eradicate poverty from children.

Solomon (2013) states that there is substantial evidence that child support grants reduce risky behaviour among teens such as sexual activity and pregnancy. They serve to reduce teen pregnancy over time rather than increase them.

Burdette (2012) argues that child pregnancy is an effect of poverty. Yalesias (2012) confirms that women choose to become mothers because their economic outlook is objectively bleak. There is a desire for financial security, and by falling in love with affluent people who will support them financially, women attain this desire. As a result, they are exploited by older men (Decker 2006). Sometimes, even if they were given money for transport to and from school, children tend to hitchhike and fall sexual victims of older men (eNCA 2013).

2.1.3 Lack of Education and Relationships

Education is one of the most effective ways to reduce early marriage, but in most of the cases governments do not have funding to provide proper health programmes. Burdette (2012) asserts that childbearing is more likely among women from low income level and education than among their better off peers. Teenage mothers are less likely to finish school and more likely to live in poverty, depend on public assistance and be in poor health (NCSL 2014). 

However, alarming figures released by the South African Provincial Education Department indicate that schoolgirl pregnancies have doubled since 2006, despite a doubled effort of spending on sex education and AIDS awareness (IRIN 2007). Ipantenco (2014) confirms that access to quality sex education and health classes are essential during teen years, because the classes teach children how babies are made and what action they can take to prevent pregnancy. It seems that the type of education offered at the South African schools is not good enough to stop the learners from engaging in dangerous sexual behaviours. The explanation maybe that the financial needs of the learners are not being addressed practically, hence they opt for CSG.

Parents do not guide and supervise their children on issues relating to sexuality. Parents’ lack of education about schools and government and sex and relationships is a contributing factor of early marriage (Mbeki 2010). Most parents lack both the knowledge and skill to talk openly about sex with their children. They feel disempowered to talk about sex to their children in an environment which emphasises a right based culture for children. The general knowledge gap filled by the educational gap between parents and children contributes towards the sense of disempowerment (HRSC 2009). Parents’ lack of knowledge about safe sex and use of contraceptives such as condoms, pills, and loops (Deckert, 2010; Posel, 2013) is problematic. 

Most of the parents feel disempowered to talk about such things as HIV and AIDS. They leave everything into the hands of government via schools and teachers. As a result, they fail to equip their children with the realities of adult life. Therefore, peer pressure, alcohol abuse, loneliness and lack of belonging take control of teenagers. In most cases, these situations result in unwanted teenage pregnancies (Cause of Early marriage 2009). The teenage mothers end up becoming poorer as the envisaged salvation of the CSG proves worthless. Therefore, poverty in terms of knowledge and material possessions causes early marriage, which further exacerbates the cycle of poverty.

2.2 To establish the consequences of early marriage in social settings

Early childbearing has an impact on society, for when individuals cannot realize their full educational and occupational potential, society loses their economic contributions. In addition, if early childbearers utilize public services more than other women, public expenditures on programs such as AID to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Medicaid, and food stamps increase.

2.2.1 Schooling

The most general sequence of schooling, marriage and childbearing is that of completion of schooling, marriage, and then childbearing. Because of the time and energy that raising children require, which interferes with the time and energy required to study and attend classes, women who bear a child during the school years often leave before they can complete their schooling (Deckert, 2010). This is especially the case for those who bear a child during the high school years. Results from a number of studies show that young women who bear a child as teenagers are substantially less likely to complete high school than those who bear a child later on. All the studies reviewed show that early child bearers exhibit a substantial educational deficit relative to later child bearers.

Card and Wise (1978) for example, found that young women who bear a child while in high school not only were of lower socioeconomic status when they were in ninth grade, but already had lower academic abilities and lower educational expectations than their classmates, factors which also predict poor school performance and poor later life chances.

Enrollment in special school programs may also affect school completion. In their 17 year follow-up of adolescent child bearers, Furstenberg and Brooks-Gunn (1985) found a strong association between staying in school and attending a special school for teen mothers. Since adolescents who had higher ambitions were much more likely to participate in the special program than to stay in the regular school, and more highly motivated adolescents did better later on regardless of the type of school, this may explain their differential school continuation. However, after controlling for its selective attraction to motivated adolescents, Furstenberg found that the association between attending the school and later well-being remained strong (Furstenberg and Brooks-Gunn, 1985). Those in the special school for pregnant girls did substantially better in later life than those attending a regular school program (and those who dropped out).

Teen childbearing not only has the potential to affect the mother’s education, but has implications for children as well: children born to teen moms often do not perform as well as children of older mothers on early childhood development indicators and school readiness measures, such as communication, cognition and social skills. Research shows that children of teen mothers not only start school at a disadvantage, they also fare worse than those born to older parents later on. For example, children born to teens have lower educational performance, score lower on standardized tests, and are twice as likely to repeat a grade. Additionally, only around two-thirds of children born to teen mothers earn a high school diploma, compared to 81 percent of children born to adults (Deckert, 2010).

2.2.2 Labor Force Participation and Hours Worked

Having a young child consistently lowers labor force participation, whereas an early birth does not. Koo and Bilsborrow (1980), early childbearers (female) appear to be somewhat more likely to be in the labor force 10 years after high school than later childbearers. This is probably due to several factors: 1) Since early childbearers start their families early, at 1 and 5 years after high school fewer early than later childbearers are working (Card, 1977). Ten years after high school, however, their children are older while later childbearers have just begun their families and have young children in the home.

Poverty is both a cause and a consequence of teen pregnancy and childbearing. Two-thirds of young unmarried mothers are poor and around 25 percent go on welfare within three years of a child’s birth. Low educational attainment among teen mothers affects their economic opportunities and earnings in later years. Teen mothers are less likely to complete high school or college, and are therefore less likely to find well-paying jobs. This reality is evident in the fact that over the past 20 years, the median income for college graduates has increased 19 percent, while income among high school drop-outs has decreased 28 percent. The economic consequences of dropping out of school often contribute to the perpetual cycle of economic hardship and poverty that spans generations (Chitiga et al. 2014).

Only around 20 percent of fathers of children born to teen mothers marry the mothers. Therefore, child support generally represents a vital income source for these single parent families, accounting for 23 percent of family income among families that receive it. However, teen fathers may pay less than $800 a year in child support, compounding financial difficulties for the parent responsible for day to day care. Teen fathers are often poor themselves; research indicates that they are also less educated and experience earning losses of 10-15 percent annually (Chitiga et al., 2014).

The previous section has shown that AFDC mothers are more likely to have been teen mothers than are American women in general. Three studies have attempted to estimate the cost of teen childbearing in terms of the public expenditures on women who were teens when they had a first birth. This total does not necessarily represent the amount that could be saved if all these mothers had postponed their first birth, since some would have required public assistance regardless of their age at first birth.

Moore (1978) and Wertheimer and Moore (1982) analyzed three data sets to estimate 1975 welfare expenditures on teen mothers. The results show that about half of the AFDC budget goes to households in which the mother was a teenager at first birth, about $4.65 to $5 billion in expenditures just through AFDC (Moore and Burt, 1982). Adding food stamp benefits plus medicaid benefits to mothers and children increases the total to $8.55 billion in 1975 (Moore and Burt, 1982).

Scheirer (1982) estimated AFDC payments to current and prior teen mothers under age 30 (using the 1975 and 1977 AFDC surveys) to total $2.5 billion in 1975 and $3 billion in 1977. Moore’s estimate of payments to households of women age 14–30 and who gave birth before age 20 was $2.4 billion in 1975. The estimates based on a number of different data sets are very similar.

Block and Dubin estimated AFDC costs for teen childbearers in Monroe County, New York in 1977 and 1978. They found the average cost per case to be $4,262 and $3,494 in 1978 for teen and non-teen childbearers respectively under 30 in that year. Scheirer also found that households of teen mothers received larger grants; however, this was because of the larger number of children of teen childbearers than older mothers. Once other factors were controlled the direct effect disappeared. Block and Dubin showed that over time older childbearers do catch up somewhat; however, substantial differences in family size remain. Scheirer also showed that the length of time on welfare is a function of age at first birth. Early childbearers spend slightly more time on AFDC. Thus the higher welfare cost of early childbearers is due to three factors: the higher proportion of early childbearers who are recipients, the higher cost per case, and the longer duration of payment (Scheirer, 1982:3).

2.3 To suggest possible strategies to reduce early marriage

Early marriage is a socially, economically, physically and emotionally complex issue. StayTeen.org reports that three out of 10 teen girls in the U.S. find themselves pregnant at least once before age 20. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unwanted Pregnancy relays that approximately 47.8 percent of all high school students report having sexual intercourse. With serious consequences at stake, ways of preventing teen pregnancy should be a high priority (Posel, 2013).

Abstinence

Abstinence from sex (oral, anal or vaginal) is the only behavior that is 100 percent effective at preventing early marriage. In fact, the National Campaign stresses that abstinence from sex is the best choice for teens as it avoids early pregnancy, parenthood and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Planned Parenthood reminds teens that remaining abstinent is a behavior choice and it can be difficult for some people (Posel, 2013).

Contraceptives

Posel (2013), besides abstinence, using contraception during sexual intercourse can also prevent early marriage. Whether using barrier or hormonal methods, contraception can help to avoid pregnancy. StayTeen.org reports that one-third of teenage girls did not use any form of contraception the last time they had sex and 52 percent of sexually active teens reported a primary reason for not using contraceptives is because their partners did not want to. Educating teens about contraceptive methods may help to change attitudes and behaviors toward safer sex practices.

METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the research design, Area of study, Study population, Sample procedures/strategies, Instruments of data collection, Procedure of data collection, Data analysis sand processing, Data presentation, Limitation of the study. 

3.1 Research Design.

The descriptive research design will be adopted. It will also employ both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Quantitative approach will be used to bring out the numerical concept within the study by the use of frequencies, percentages, tables. While the qualitative approach will be used to capture some comments, opinions, ideas, and concepts from the respondents that are relevant to the study. 

3.2 Area of Study

This study will be carried out in Ikumbya Sub County, Luuka District 

3.3 Study Population

Respondents will be selected using simple random sampling because there are many in number and as such a smaller number will be chosen. Respondents who will include parents, girls and local leaders will be purposively selected as it is assumed that they have right information as regards. The study population consists residents of the area of study. 

3.4 Sample Size

A total of 50 respondents will be sampled. This group will be opted for in order to get information concerning the researcher’s area of investigation without concentrating on one area which will not be representative enough.

3.5 Sampling Techniques

In this case purposive sampling will be used to select key informants of the study. Purposive sampling will be used because it will enable the researcher to choose the respondents that she thinks will provide relevant information for the study.

3.6 Methods and Tools of Data Collection 

Questionnaires 

Questionnaires will involve asking respondents questions in order to get the findings. In this method the tool which will be used will be questionnaire. 

Questionnaire is a carefully designed instrument for collecting data in accordance with the specifications of research questions. The researcher will employ questionnaires for collecting data which will consist of both open ended and close ended questions relating to the study variables. The researcher will use questionnaires because they provide standard and uniform answers free from biasness, wider coverage of many respondents and less costly in using them, however, these will be used with employees who are educated or who know how to read and write.

Interviews

An interview is a conversation where questions are asked and answers are given. Interview refers to a one-on-one conversation with one person acting in the role of the interviewer and the other in the role of the interviewee. The researcher will strive to get first-hand information by making appointments with individual respondents to answer questions related to the study topic

3.7 Reliability and Validity

According to Posel, S (2013), reliability is the degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results and validity refers to how well a test measures what it is supposed to measure. 

The researcher will use the help of the supervisors who will examine and confirm content validity by checking the items’ and content coverage, relevance, clarity of questionnaire, persistency and ambiguity. The quality and validity of research instruments will be ensured by the researcher through carrying out pilot study, discussing them with the supervisor when seeking expert opinion, taking great care in the choice of section, order and proper structure of questions. The researcher will develop instruments that will be easy to understand.

3.8 Procedure of data collection

The researcher will get an official introductory letter from Research Coordinator at the university which will be presented to the authority to enable the researcher officially conduct the study in the areas with ease. The researcher will then go to the field and the introductory letter will be presented to the respondents on request.  It will be important that at the start of every interview, the researcher guarantee to respondents confidentiality to both the respondents and the informants. The researcher will move to the area of study for data collection. 

3.8 Data Processing, Data Analysis, Presentation.

The data will be coded, edited and analyzed using both statistical and non-statistical methods and the data collected will be arranged in systematic way to ensure relevancy and adequacy.  The researcher will present the findings of the study using bar charts, frequencies, percentages and tables.

3.9 Ethical Considerations

According to Lo (2009), ethical research is research that human subjects or participants raise unique and complex ethical, legal, social and political issues. It’s specifically interested in the analysis of ethical issues that are raised when people are involved as participants in research. The researcher shall observe extreme confidentiality while handling the responses and Information will be availed to the respondents that the researcher will not cause any danger directly or indirectly and that participation is voluntary.

3.10 Anticipated Limitations to the Study

The researcher anticipates to face limited cooperation from the respondents. This will be due to their own reasons among themselves being that they may have limited time and interest in providing the information required. 

Inaccessibility of key persons in the study. This will be a result of some of them having their own programmes and not willing to provide information. 

REFERENCES

Bruenig M 2012. Teenage Pregnancy and Poverty. Matt Bruenig News Letter. 

Burdette W 2012. Poverty, Low Education Attainment Lead to Teen Pregnancy. The State Journal. West Virginia Only Business Newspaper, Daily, March 26, 2012, P. 1.

Chitiga Mabugu M, Ngadu S 2014. The Child Support Grant. From <http://www.google.com.> (Retrieved on 10 April 2014).

CSGE 2010. Child Support Grant Evaluation. Pretoria: Department of Social Development Republic of South Africa.

Deckert K 2006. Causes of Teenage Pregancy. Retrieved April 9, From <htttp://www.voices Yahoo. com/factors problem in America> (Retrieved on 9 April 2014).

eNCA 2013. Television Programme. E News Channel Africa. News, 22 July 2013.

GPCC 2006.Gender and Poverty Collaborative Curriculum. From <http://www.google.com> (Retrieved on 20 February 2014).

HSRC 2009. Teenage Pregnancy in South Africa with Specific Focus on School Going Learners. Pretoria: HSRC.

Ipatenco S 2014. Why Are Low Income Likely To Become Pregnant? Global Post American World News Site. From <www. everydaylife. Global Post. com> (Retrieved on 31 July 2014).

Kemper M 2013. Poverty Causes Teen Parenting, Not the Other Way Round: Reproductive and Sexual Health and Justice News Analysis and Commentary.

Mbeki A 2010. Lack of Education in Sex and Relationships. 

Motsoaledi A 2013. The State of Health Care Service. TV Programme eNCA Judge for Yourself. 17 September 2013.

Muligwe S 2013. Message: Kingdom International Convention, 2 July-6 July 2013. Tshifulanani: Rhema Kingdom Life Centre.

NCSL 2014. National Conference of State Legislatures Teen Pregnancy Prevention. From <http://www.ncsl. org/research.> (Retrieved on 30 July 2014).

Posel S 2013. UN: Teen Pregnancy is a Huge Global Problem. Sussane Posel Investigative Headline News, October 31, 2013. P. 1.

Whale ML, Loper AB 2013. Teenage pregnancy in Adolescents with Incarcerated Household Member. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 36(3): 346- 361.

QUESTIONNAIRES

Dear respondent, 

My name is Waidhuba David and as partial requirement of the award of Bachelor degree of Teacher Education. I am carrying out a study on “early marriages among Basoga girls”.  You have been selected to provide vital information that will facilitate the study. Your response will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Thank you very much for your valuable time. 

SECTION A: BIOGRAPHIC DATA

(N.B Answer by Ticking where applicable) 

1. Gender 

Female                                                             Male 

2. Age in years

Below 15                                                               16-20

21-25                                                               Above 25

3. Education Level 

None                                          Primary 

Secondary                                             Tertiary

4. Marital Status

 Single Married

Divorced Separated 

Research questions

1. How old are you or how old were you when you got married?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1. What do you think caused you to get married at a young age?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 

1. What were the challenges that you faced being a parent at a young age?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 

1. What do you suggest should be done to reduce early marriage?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Thank you for your cooperation

INTERVIEW GUIDE

Dear respondent, 

My name is Waidhuba David and as partial requirement of the award of Bachelor degree of Teacher Education. I am carrying out a study on “early marriages among Basoga girls”.  You have been selected to provide vital information that will facilitate the study. Your response will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Thank you very much for your valuable time. 

Research questions

1. How old are you or how old were you when you got married?
2. What do you think caused you to get married at a young age?
3. What were the challenges that you faced being a parent at a young age?
4. What do you suggest should be done to reduce early marriage?

Thank you for time