Influence of Socioeconomic Factors on Marriage Decision among University Students in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of socio-economic factors and marriage among university students in selected universities in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania. Specifically, it examined the uncertainty of getting employment, age at marriage, academic pressure and parental influence. The research method used was a mixed approach entailing, quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.  The study sample size had 100 respondents composed of both male and female university students drawn using Slovin’s formula applied to a sampling frame. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires; while In-depth interviews formed the basis for qualitative data using checklists administered to six Focus Group Discussions which were drawn voluntarily from the same study sample. The information obtained was triangulated by key informants’ responses mainly two deans of students and some counsellors from SUA and MUM). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to establish a relationship between age groups and marriage decision factors. It gave a P-value (0.474) greater than 0.05 which indicated that there was no statistically significant relationship between the ideal age of marriage and the factors influencing the decision to marry. Despite the results of ANOVA analysis, the study was interested also in analyzing different perceptions given by students on delayed marriage. It employed SPSS version 21 to analyze quantitative data while content analysis was employed to analyse qualitative data respectively. Results showed that, those who delayed to marry due to employment uncertainty (75%), and parental pressure (47%). Further analysis, was conducted using quantitative and qualitative. The study revealed that 61% of students said they preferred early marriage age but were barred by parents to do so until when they complete their studies. Furthermore, the study discovered that 13% of students were engaged in legalized early and delayed marriage. While; 31% said that they postponed marriage due to increased education, urbanization, and greater personal autonomy, especially in developed regions. However, when in-depth interviews were employed to those who said they delayed or postponed marriage; it revealed that the majority of the students practised [indirectly] some habits related to delayed marriage as they ranged from dating, cohabitation to celibacy all these in one way or the other delayed or even waive indefinitely legalized marriage under the pretext of social economic hardships. Regarding the issue of policies or mechanisms to guide students in marital issues; the study established that virtually there are no direct policies for this as university authorities consider students as adults who are mature enough to handle marital associations. However, universities intervene by administering disciplinary measures against couples who reach gross misunderstanding or violence in order to maintain peace and order in the institution. On the other hand, it depended on the ownership of the institution whether public or religious university. For instance, MUM being an Islamic-owned institution, loss of sexual contacts or interactions among male and female students are highly restricted as compared to a public institution like SUA where laxity prevails. Even cases of cohabitation, dating and flimsy sexual behaviours are comparatively less due to the great emphasis placed on observance of religious code of conduct. The study concluded that the majority of the students directly or indirectly practised delayed marriage. These ‘indirect’ marriages finally, the study recommended enhancing awareness of counselling services and incorporating religious and moral seminars in public universities