Factors Causing Divorce Rates among Young Couples in Tanzania:

A Case Study of Arusha City

By

MUSILA MAGDALENE

SAA/BAED/55153

SUPERVISOR:

MADAM ANNEY SARA

Research Proposal submitted in a Partial Fulfillment of the Award of

Bachelor of Arts with Education at St. Augustine University of

Tanzania – Arusha Centre

2019.

i
TABLE CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE..............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................1
1.2. Background of the Study..................................................................................................................1
1.3 The Statement of the Problem..........................................................................................................4
1.4. Objectives of the study.....................................................................................................................5
1.4.1 General Objective...........................................................................................................................5
1.4.2 Specific Objectives..........................................................................................................................5
1.5 Research Questions...........................................................................................................................6
1.6 The Significance of the study.............................................................................................................6
1.7. Scope of the study............................................................................................................................6
2.0. Introduction......................................................................................................................................8
2.2 .1 Types of Marriage..........................................................................................................................8
2.2.2 Religious Marriage..........................................................................................................................9
2.2.3Civil Marriage...................................................................................................................................9
2.2.4. Theoretical Literature..................................................................................................................20
i..........................................................................................................................................................21
1. CHAPTER THREE.............................................................................................................................22
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................................................22
3.12 Data Analysis.................................................................................................................................26
3.12.1 Quantitative Data Analysis..........................................................................................................27
3.12.2 Qualitative Data Analysis............................................................................................................27
3.13. Data Management and Ethical.....................................................................................................28
Budget...................................................................................................................................................29

ii
 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction

This study focuses on the causes of divorce rates among young couples in our today’s society

especially in Arusha City. There are three chapters in this proposal. Chapter one deals with the

background of which we shall see the history of marriage, divorce cases and divorce origin.

Many researchers’ have tried to look into the beginning of marriage and how the divorce has

come into this sacred union between a man and a woman. We will see the Statement of the

problem, Research objectives and Research Questions. It further looks into significance of the

study, Scope of the study, limitations as well as definitions of basic concepts.

1.2. Background of the Study

The universality of marriage in human societies around the world suggests a deep evolutionary

history of institutionalized pair-bonding that stems back at least to early modern humans.

According to Robert S.et al (2011). Marriage practices vary considerably from culture to

culture, ranging from strict prescriptions and arranged marriages in some societies to mostly

unregulated courtship in others. Marital separation and divorce can be unpleasant event in the

young couple’s life, and families will be hurt by divorce event. The Prevalence of divorce has

been increasing in this decade. This study will be conducted to identify the divorce causes among

the young couple in the society today. It is inevitable that, as researcher talk about divorce, there

must be a union or a bond between a man and a woman or husband and wife. Marriage is an

Institution ordained by God and it has a special significance in our society.

1
Obi defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman that lasts the duration of the man’s

life and the woman’s life, as well as a social structure that promotes an association and

agreement between two families Obi (1990). Marriage is predicated on the mutual consent of a

man and a woman to live together as husband and wife. Ordinarily, an ideal marriage will remain

united, undivided, and unbroken. Divorce is the legal dissolution of a marriage. Marriage is the

formal union of a man and a woman, typically as recognized by law, by which they become

husband and wife (Concise Oxford English Dictionary, 11th Edition, 2009). Divorce is the

dissolution of a marriage by judgment of a court or by accepted custom. It can also be called a

total separation (Collins English Dictionary, 2011). It is also a legal way of ending marriage

(Macmillan School Dictionary,2011). The aftermath of this is divorce. According to Grath

(2001), divorce is a legal or customary decree that a marriage is dissolved in other words,

divorce is a permanent separation of married people as a result of unexpected marriage outcome.

Mbiti (2007) argue that; Divorce is a delicate accident in marital relationships.

A lot of studies have been conducted on divorce rate on the increase in Tanzania according o

Jiang Alipo Daily news; Saturday January 31 2009 at 21:15 that researchers dealt with Data

collected from 1994/1995 to 2007/ 2008 shows that 2005/2006 had the lowest number of

registered divorces with only 28 divorces which is 340/0 decline compared to the previous year.

On the other hand, 2001/2002 had the highest of divorces with, with 54 divorces and recorded

the same period, 45 0/0 increases from the previous year’s 37 divorces. Commenting on the issue,

the general overseer of Wapo Mission International, Reverend Sylvester Gamangwa (2002),

divorce is caused by moral decay in the society and that most couples rushed to marriage life

unprepared, marriage is a contract between two people, but because of moral decay and

unpreparedness on the part of couple.

2
Another study done by a researcher in Nigeria says that, In the lgbo traditional society, marriage

used to be for life. Today, things have changed, and marriage, an institution that used to be

stable, is no longer steady. Oforchukwu (2000) observed that married partners are often faced

with problems that might dissolve their relationship. He urged couples to be careful when this

became the situation in partners’ relationship.

A study done by Chris.Mungai (1998) in Kenya shows that divorce among young couples is on

rise. The researcher considered women aged 20 and 24 in 1998 those who are in their early 40s

today,11 percent of women are now either divorced or separated. A recent nationwide survey

showed that about three quarters (74.4 percent) of respondents said that today’s couples take

marriage as a joke. In 2014 edition of the survey, six percent of women aged 20-24 are already

divorced or separated, a proportion almost double from two decades ago.

According to the latest Uganda Demographic and health Survey (UDHS), marriage patterns are

changing, with the institution attracting less people today that it did two decades ago. The report

shows the rate of marriage decline is higher among men, with a nine percent drop registered

between 2006-2011 alone, the report reveals. Majority of the men who are not marrying are

those under the age of 25. The report notes that up to 38 per cent of men aged between 15 and 49

are most likely to have never been married compared to 24 per cent of women in the same age

group. “men tend to marry at much order than women. For instance, among men between the

ages of 25 and 49, only nine percent were married by 18”, the report reveals.

In African context, Research suggests that African men are likely to divorce a woman if they feel

disrespected and when a woman earns more than they do. (Scarpitti and Anderson,( 2011; Preller

(2014), Oothuizen, (2014), Households where both spouses are employed are becoming more

3
common among the modern-day families, which often have both spouses working, regardless of

whether they have children or not. Traditionally , women remained at home while the husband

brought in the money (Kanji &Schober, 2013).

A study done in United States indicate that divorce rates are high, though that is part of it (2012,

the last year for which the Office for National Statistics has published figures, saw a slight

increase in the number of divorces, to 42% of marriages). Almost half of divorces happen in the

first 10 years of marriage, and the rate is especially high between the fourth and eighth

anniversary. The average age at divorce was 45 for men and 42 for women, which marks a more

interesting statistic: by far the highest divorce rates have been among women aged 25-29 and

men aged either 25-29 or 30-34, depending on the year.

Couples who marry young are most likely to divorce. Couples in their 20s are the most likely

group to divorce as celebrity culture fuels a rise in so-called “starter marriages” that end within

five years, according to official figures. The latest data from the (ONS) Office for National

Statistics, confirmed the trend of recent years, with another reduction in the number of divorces

registered in England and Wales. There were 114,000 divorces registered in England and Wales

in 2009, a fall of 6.4% on the previous year. There was also a reduction in the proportion of

married couples divorcing, with the rate falling to an average of 10.5 people divorcing out of

every 1,000 married individuals, from 11.2 per 1,000 in 2008. Social affairs Editor, Tim Ross

(2011). Among 25 to 29 year-olds, however, the divorce rate was twice as high, with 21.7 men

and 25.1 women per 1,000 in the age group divorcing in 2009.

4
After consulting various studies, General information about divorce rates have been given as

well as those of young couples in this study. However, none of the research was specifically

conducted in Arusha City, concerning the factors causing divorce rates among young couples.

There is also a very limited number of studies done in the country so as to get full information

about the causes of divorce among young couples. In order to fill this gap, the study aims to

examine factors causing the divorce rates among young couples in Arusha city.

1.3 The Statement of the Problem

Divorce rates among young couples are a problem in our today’s society. The institution of

marriage continues to decline as a result of many social, economic and cultural factors Kyalo

(2012). This has produced a myriad of social problems such as single parenthood, divorce,

separation, increase of street children, increase of orphanage centers and social crime. The

researcher has been having a throbbing quest in the society to get clear information about

marriage divorce cases through observations. A recent report shows that not only has the rate of

divorce doubled within six years, but about half of people who have reached the age of marriage

have not yet married. Divorce is a consequence of frustration, annoyance, anxiety and failure;

these are known to be the chief driving forces that are producing chaos in the world because of

conflicts among partners. Improper mental balance between spouses are the major cause that

couple bonded into the marriage relation are impelled to select their diverse paths and ultimately

divorce are observed as the final solution by Abayomi Jegede (2012). Although general studies

have been done in different parts of Tanzania, none has been done in Arusha city on divorce

rates among young couples and its causes. Therefore it is in this reason that this study seeks to

examine the divorce rates among young couples in Arusha city. The knowledge to be acquired

5
will be of great significance to suggest ways to address the causes of divorce rates among young

couples in Arusha city.

1.4. Objectives of the study

1.4.1 General Objective

The main objective of this study is to examine the causes of divorce rates among young couples

in the society today using a case study of Arusha City.

1.4.2 Specific Objectives.

Specifically, this study intends

i. To identify the causes of divorce rates among young couples in Arusha city.

ii. To identify the challenges resulting from divorce rates among young couples in Arusha

city.

iii. To suggest the possible strategies to address the causes of divorce rate in Arusha City.

1.5 Research Questions

i. What are the causes of divorce rate among couples in Arusha City?

ii. What are the challenges resulting from divorce rates among young couples in Arusha

City?

iii. What are the strategies used to the of divorce rates among young couples in Arusha City?

1.6 The Significance of the study

This study aims to examine the factors that lead to the separation of intimate relationship to

many young couples in the society. First, the study may help married couples manage

6
issues of divorce as well as find ways of solving or changing this behavior as a copy of

the study would be given to the chiefs to pass study findings to community members once the

study is completed. The government may also use this information to develop policies governing

marital infidelity. It may as well as come up with awareness campaign strategies geared at

informing the couples of factors that may lead into infidelities. It will lead to love, peace and

unity among many families, communities, societies and the whole nation at large. It will also

help there searchers, church authorities as they counsel couples, counselors and young people to

prepare for their future family life whereby they will cultivate for true love and harmony in their

living together.

1.7. Scope of the study

The study is will be conducted in Arusha city in Arusha Region to the young couples aged 18-45

years, experienced couples who are in existing marriages, the elderly who have experienced

marriage lifestyles in earlier days compared to marriage lifestyle today and experienced people

who have studied deeply the marital problems.

1.8. Limitation of the study

In regard to this study, the researcher predicts that, It will be very challenging to get Young

couples who are sincere and honest to tell the truth of their reality in life fully due to fear. A

researcher expects openness, sincerity and honest to those who are already divorced recently

1.9. Definition of terms

Marriage is a union between a man and a woman that lasts the duration of the man’s life and the

woman’s life, as well as a social structure that promotes an association and agreement between two

families Obi (1990) or marriage, is a comprehensive union of mind and body ordered to family

7
life, unites a man and a woman as husband and wife, and they document the social value of

applying this principle in law, Sherif Girgis et al ( 2012)

Divorce is the dissolution of a marriage by judgment of a court or by accepted custom. It can

also be called a total separation (Collins English Dictionary, 2011). According to Grath (2001),

divorce is a legal or customary decree that a marriage is dissolved in other words, divorce is a

permanent separation of married people as a result of unexpected marriage outcome. Mbiti

(2007) argue that; Divorce is a delicate accident in marital relationships.

Couples refers to two people who are married. (Oxford dictionary)

Society is defined as people lives together in an ordered community or community of people

living in a country or region, and having shared customs, laws and organizations. (Oxford

dictionary)

8
 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0. Introduction

This chapter reviews literature related to the study globally, in Africa, Kenya and Tanzania .It

considers and explores how different scholars and researchers have come up with different views

in the causes of divorce rates among couples in our society today. It also looks into different

terminologies and classification of marriage. The following thematic areas are included; Causes

of divorce rates among young married couple, challenges resulting from divorce rates among

young couples, behavior change strategies, theoretical and conceptual framework.

2.1. Conceptual Literature Review.

Marital separation and divorce can be the most unpleasant event in the adult’s life, and families

will be hurt by divorce event. The prevalence of divorce has been increased in last decades.

Therefore this study intends to identify the divorce cause among young couples in Tanzania.

2.1.1. Divorce

Divorce is a terminology of marriage or marital union that illegible separation of man and

woman effected for cause by the judgment of a court and either total dissolving the marriage

relation or suspending its effect so as concern the cohabitation of the parties.

2.2 .1 Types of Marriage

Traditional marriage is a phase that may refer to ; marriage and its customs and practices in a particular

culture.

9
2.2.2 Religious Marriage

Is a marriage performed by a minister, Priest or Pastor who has been registered as an authorized

by registries general to conduct religious marriage. It is done in a religious setting through a

wedding ceremony, the act of marriage usually creates legal obligation between the individuals

involved and any offspring they may produce.

2.2.3Civil Marriage

A civil marriage is simply one where the marriage ceremony has a government or civil official

performing the ceremony. It takes place without any religious affiliation and meets the legal

requirements of the state or location of the wedding.

2.2.4 Empirical Literature Review

In Africa, marriage and procreation are intertwined and inseparable. It is almost always

presumed that readiness for marriage is readiness for procreation; to get married is an

opportunity to contribute freely, through procreation, to the survival of the lineage and society at

large. During marriage (both traditional and Christian), one of the most appreciated and common

gestures of good-will shown to the newly married couple is praying for them for the fruit of the

womb: „may God grant you many children‟, „you shall give birth to male and female,‟ „in nine

months we shall gather to celebrate the birth of your baby‟. In these wishes, both the societal

perception of marriage and the use of sexuality in marriage as primarily geared toward the

begetting of progeny are encapsulated.

The problem arises when a marriage fails to lead to procreation. In a cultural context that stresses

procreation and blames a woman for any failure in this regard, what is the way out for a

10
„fruitless‟ marriage? Reading Gn 38 (Judah or Tamar narrative) against this backdrop reveals its

resonance with the African cultural emphasis on progeny and heir. As such, the plight of Tamar

represents, in particular, the ordeal of a married childless African woman searching for a child,

and in general, the injustice suffered by women in a patriarchal society. The overriding target of

our interpretation of Gen 38 is the application of the theological meaning of this text to the

African socio-cultural context so as to engender a more informed and just reaction to the so-

called „grave‟ problem of childlessness or the search for a male child in today’s Africa. To avoid

being too general in our references to the African context, we will use the Igbo culture of Nigeria

as our case study.

Divorce is considered a “lifelong decision” that encompasses many ways of addressing the

challenges that lead to divorce prior to the final legal decision (Tanaka, 2010:1. Most authors

( Fagan& Churchill, 2012; Treas, Scott & Richards 2013) regard divorce as a permanent

separation of a married couple. The sociological view of divorce is based on the notion that

marriage is a social institution 9wilcox and DEW, 20090 .In this view certain cultural beliefs and

norms (a long term commitment, care of the children are and a man being a breadwinner of the

family) are what constitutes a marriage. When these believes and norms are violated, either a

wife or husband is more likely to leave (Sayer, England, Allison &kangas, 2011, due to lack of

social support, or because of the norms have been violated.

Marriage is considered to be a long time contract in African societies” ( Arudu, 2014:382).

Traditionally divorce was not considered as an option, family members would address any

dispute by judging the case on its merit and weighing all the consequences of the outcome.

Divorce, which was essentially considered a “, nature, and society” ( Arungu,2014:382) could

only be allowed in traditional African society if adultery had been committed, a despite all

11
efforts to encourage the married couples to stay together. Beziudenhout (2017) argues that it is

therefore an advantage for couples to come from similar cultural backgrounds, as this helps them

in adjusting to and developing the family culture for themselves.

Multiple interlocking factors have contributed to the rapid rise of divorce in South Africa

( Erenest, 2003; Makwanise&masuku, 2016). Some of these factors as revealed by south

America researcher include sexual incompability(Ganerre,2016; tembe 2010;preller 2014) ; lack

of communication and 2014;social networking ( Preller 2014); lack of intimacy ( Preller 2014 );

marital infidelity ( Tembe sexual incompatibility is one of the contributing factors in divorce.

Men and women naturally tend to differ in every sphere of life emotionally, mentally and

sexually.) certain things require adjustments as the marriage progresses for example Children are

born, health challenges arise and careers change.

Consequently, sexual dissatisfaction may lead to divorce. King (2009) indicates that one reason

given by young couples for their divorce is loss of sexual attraction and subsequent weakening of

their intimate relationship. Lack of communication is another underlying cause of many divorces

among young couples; failure to communicate makes it difficult for couples to resolve financial,

sexual and emotional issues affecting their marriage (Benokraitis, 2007). A lot of studies have

been conducted on divorce rate on the increase in Tanzania according o Jiang Alipo Daily news;

Saturday January 31 2009 at 21:15 that researchers dealt with Data collected from 1994/1995 to

2007/ 2008 shows that 2005/2006 had the lowest number of registered divorces with only 28

divorces which is 340/0 decline compared to the previous year.

On the other hand, 2001/2002 had the highest of divorces with, with 54 divorces and recorded

the same period, 45 0/0increases from the previous year’s 37 divorces. A recent report shows that

12
not only has the rate of divorce doubled within six years, but about half of people who have

reached the age of marriage have not yet married.

The National Panel Survey of 2014/15 carried out on Tanzania’s households by the National

Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that the rate of divorce has doubled within the last six years

(by survey date), a situation that threatens the future of that important institution. The report

shows that the rate of divorce has increased from 1.1 per cent in 2008/09 to 2.1 per cent in

2014/15. This means that currently for every 100 people who have reached the age of marriage

in the country, two have been divorced. The study further reveals that out of 100 who are

marriageable, 40 are not yet married.

Besides, four couples out of 100 have separated, meaning that their chances of divorce increase

if a lasting solution is not found to iron out their differences. Normally, marriage breakups deny

the children the love of both parents. Lack of parental care has been one of the major reasons for

the increase of street children. Reacting to the report, experts said the study paints a dire picture

on the future of the nation taking into consideration the fact that marriage is a key institution of

love, peace, solidarity and stability for any country.

The survey’s findings, which were published early this year, concur with those of the (2012)

census that show that 715,447 people had been divorced, which is equivalent to three persons out

of 100 who have reached marriage age. The regions of Unguja South, Mtwara, Urban West,

Lindi and Unguja North have a higher rate of divorce as the rate is over four per cent, which is

above the nation’s average of three per cent, according to the statistics of the 2012 Census. It is

not necessary for those who divorce in courts of law to tender their divorce papers to the

Registration Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (Rita) as statistics of the Agency show that the

number of divorces has been low compared to the statistics in the NBS survey. Despite a few

13
number of documented divorces, Rita says that the number of the married couples divorcing has

been increasing year after year in the country as in Dar es Salaam alone the number of divorcees

has shot up from 106 in 2014 to 149 last year, something that tells the real situation of NBS’s

survey.

“It is very possible that divorces are more than our findings show because most of the married

couples don’t know how to register their divorcing papers with us so that we can provide them

with documents,” says MrJosephat Kimaro, Rita’s manager for Marketing, Information and

Public Education.

“The report shows the process of communicating with courts has started so that soon after those

courts have presided over divorces, the divorcees can bring us the divorce papers for

registration,” Mr Kimaro added. Rita’s reports indicate that there have been some marriages that

have lasted for less than one year including the one that took eight months in court until a

divorce statement was registered by Rita.

The Marriage Act of 1971 stipulates that a declaration of separation or divorce is required to be

issued by a court of law only after satisfying itself with the reasons given by the married couple.

Section 100 of the law details that a court of law cannot hear divorce cases of marriages that

have lasted under two years and for it to hear them it must satisfy itself that one of the couples

suffers miserably. The Women’s Legal Aid Centre (WLAC) clarifies in its booklet about the

marriage law that, “written or verbal divorces in the streets by the married couples are no

recognized by the marriage law.”

“A divorce must be decided by a court of law so that the rights of either of the couple are clearly

declared,” reads part of the WLAC booklet issued in 2013.

14
Sheikh Khamis Mataka,(2013) the chairman of the National Muslim Council of Tanzania

(Bakwata), says divorces were on the rise because of the weaknesses of the married couple, who

are supposed to live in love and unity until death separates them.

“Economic affairs contribute a lot to marriage breakups. When a person is in good position

financially, such a person can be independent and cannot accept to be harassed. This is contrary

to the past, whereby women tolerated because of getting little income,” says Fr Liheta, who

carried out a study about marriage breakups.

Besides that, Fr Liheta( 2013) touches on some problems about marriage sex, saying they were

also contributing to lack of faith between the couple, especially when one fails to satisfy the

other hence fueling divorce. “In the past, sex in marriage was just for having children, but

nowadays it has become pleasure. So, when one is not satisfied, one will have sex out of

marriage. In this, men will have to make efforts in ending differences emanated from sex,” he

says. “Despite warning him, he didn’t listen to her. That man, whom she was communicating

with, told her it was a woman, who was after him,” narrates Sheikh Mataka (2013) on the case

as an example of the married couple failing to have faith in each other.

The innocent children are denied the right of living with both of their parents, a situation that

may subject them to life hardships, living and begging in the streets, forced into child labor and

crime without forgetting teen pregnancy.

Commenting on the issue, the general overseer of Wapo Mission International, Reverend

Sylvester Gamangwa,(2008) divorce is caused by moral decay in the society and that most

couples rushed to marriage life unprepared, marriage is a contract between two people, but

because of moral decay and unpreparedness on the part of couple. On the other hand divorce has

15
its origin from polygamous marriages here in Tanzania. Polygamous is characterized by a

relationship in which the official wife and also forms extra-legal domestic and sexual union with

other woman of which the official wife come to know and it leads to divorce. When a man

engages himself in this relationship instead of hiding the unofficial co-wife financially.

Historical origins prior to colonization of the American Region that is now Tanzania, large

polygamous families were considered necessary for survival, as households had to be sufficient

and consume primarily what they produced. Larger families facilitated social stability, and in

traditional Africa Polygamy was associated with wealth and status, Furthermore, Feminist have

argued, that historically, polygamy helped women establish company and community for

themselves, and share burdens of household labour and child rearing.

However this is not the case today as the social impact has changed overtime with modern

lifestyle whereby monogamy is the key factor for successful family, by Rachael Howland(2008)

(No.24031 &Ashler Koene No.9441).As it has been stated by the Daily News according to Jiang

Alipo(2008) that growing number of divorces is caused by moral decay in the society and that

most couples rushed into marriage life unprepared. In traditional African Society, marriage

divorce was seldom permitted and the rate of divorce was generally very low. Today, marriage

divorce is a growing social ill in our societies. This is due to several factors, which include;

childlessness, adultery, quarrelling, alcoholism, socialization, technological advancement,

financial difficulties, immaturity, mixed marriages, adverse influence of in-laws, religious

affiliations, and educational attainment.

In the same vein, Nigeria in recent years has witnessed a high rate of divorce as a result of

urbanization and industrialization (Adegoke, 2010). The periods triggered to a monetary

industrial economy. Thus, the extended family that used to resolve conflicts or misunderstanding

16
between couples was no longer function effectively like in the past. The extended family

structure eventually broke-up in the process; and there was a shift towards the nuclear family

system characterized by less involvement of members in the resolution of marital conflicts.

It can be argued that, perhaps the most important factor in the increase in divorce throughout the

twentieth century has been the greater social acceptance of divorce. In particular, this increased

tolerance has resulted from relaxation of negative attitudes toward divorce among various

religious denominations. Although, divorce is still seen as unfortunate, it is no longer treated as

sin by most religious leaders (Gertel, 1997). Many states including Nigeria have adopted more

liberal divorce laws in the last two decades. Divorce has become a more practical option in

newly formed families, since they now tend to have fewer children than in the past. Adegoke

(2010) observed that the search for employment by family members in the labour market or their

inability to find work can be considered as a disruptive force in maintaining marital stability.

More so, a general increase in family income coupled with the availability of free legal aid for

some poor people, has meant that more couples can afford the traditionally high legal costs of

divorce proceedings. It is also believed that, as society provides greater opportunities for women,

more and more wives are becoming less dependent on husbands economically and emotionally.

They feel more able to leave on their own if the marriage seems hopeless.

Divorce and marital breakdown is on the rise. Today, stories abound of couples that break up on

a whim, even before the ink on their marriage certificates has dried. In fact, a recent nationwide

survey by Informal showed that about three-quarters (74.4 per cent) of respondents said that

today’s couples take marriage as a joke.

17
The researcher analyzed data on marital status over the past 20 years, sifting through the past

four editions of the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey since 1998, the most comprehensive

data trove on family and relationships. The report indeed, showed that divorce and separation

cases are on the rise.

A woman in your early 40s today, you were aged between 20 and 24 years in 1998. At that time,

just 3.4 per cent of your peers were divorced or separated. The researcher took the 2014 edition

of the survey, six per cent of women aged 20-24 are already divorced or separated, a proportion

almost double from two decades ago.

It gets even more interesting when we track a single age cohort, and see what has happened to

their lives. Considering those women aged between 20 and 24 in 1998, those who are in their

early 40s today. Because women tend to marry men who are slightly older than them, for men,

let us consider those aged between 25 and 29 in 1998.

The trends for women and men are clearly divergent. The percentage of women reporting they

are divorced or separated rises sharply over the years, almost as if age is the simple factor that

predisposes a woman to marital breakdown.

From 3.4 per cent when they were in their early 20s, by the time they are in their early 40s, 11

per cent of women are now either divorced or separated.

But for men, the trend is different. Those men in their late 20s who married their younger

girlfriends in 1998 also report a rise in divorce and separation, from 2.4 per cent at age 25-29 to

6.2 per cent by the time they are in their early 30s.

18
But then, something curious happens with men. The divorce/ separation rates remain flat, such

that even in their early to mid 40s, just 6.4 per cent of them are divorced or separated.

According to the latest Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS), marriage patterns are

changing, with the institution attracting less people today than it did two decades ago.

The UDHS report shows that marriage rates are falling partly because people are postponing

getting hitched or those who eventually marry do so at much later dates in their lives.

The rate of marriage decline is higher among men, with a nine per cent drop registered between

2006 and 2011 alone, the report reveals. Majority of the men who are not marrying are those

under the age of 25. The report notes that up to 38 per cent of men aged between 15 and 49 are

more likely to have never been married compared to 24 per cent of women in the same age

group. “Men tend to marry at much older ages than women. For instance, among men between

the ages of 25 and 49, only nine per cent were married by 18,” the report reveals.

By 20, the percentage of men who were likely to be married was 25 per cent.

Even though women are more likely to marry up to four years earlier than men, with the average

marriage age being 17, the report shows the percentage of married women has also been

declining - from 49 per cent to 36 per cent in the same period.

Marriage Divorce will continue to be on the increase in Nigeria if its causes and effects are not

properly identified and controlled. It is on this premise that this study is consummated.

In the past decades, the rate of divorce in Nigeria was very minimal. Husbands and wives knew

that marriage was contracted to keep the family genealogy going. Moreover, both husband and

wife knew their roles in the family. More importantly, in Nigeria, marriage was never regarded

19
as an individual affair. The family members had much influence on what went on in the family.

However, these trends changed immediately after the Nigerian-Biafra war, when people became

increasingly individualistic and took the laws into their own hands. This was the time that family

values started eroding, which eventually resulted in an increase of divorce in the contemporary

society. Husband and wives in the early periods knew that marriage was sacred, indissoluble, and

stable. Christ said, “What God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:6).

Oforchukwu (2000) observed that no couples have the right to discontinue the Christian

relationship. During the nuptial exchange of vows, couples promise each other to remain in

marriage for better or worse, until death do them apart.

In the lgbo traditional society, marriage used to be for life. Today, things have changed, and

marriage, an institution that used to be stable, is no longer steady. Oforchukwu (2000) observed

that married partners are often faced with problems that might dissolve their relationship. He

urged couples to be careful when this became the situation in partners’ relationship.

Unfortunately, life has changed since the end of Nigerian-Biafra War in 1970. These changes are

obvious in social, educational, political, religious, and economic aspects of Igbo existence. Our

people who travel abroad have serious

The researcher had a number of people who were divorced by the age of 30, about their first,

early marriages. Researcher discovered, predictably, that there are as many narratives as there are

unions (or perhaps, it would be truer to say, as with traffic accidents, as many stories as there are

witnesses, ie at least two). But there are some things that come through again and again.

That the pain and trouble of a difficult marriage are often a huge shock – “The church tells them

marriages are made in heaven, but so are thunder and lightning,” as a wry matrimonial lawyer

20
once put it. That divorce, though easier and more common than it was in previous generations, is

still traumatic, Mick Brownfield (2012)

2.2.4. Theoretical Literature

2.2.5 The family life cycle perspective Theory

According to McGoldrick, Carter and Garcia-Petro (2011) states that, the emotional and

intellectual stages that one passes through from childhood to old age as a member of a family are

called the family life cycle. The family life cycle perspective describes a series of stages through

which each couple investible passes. This offers an “organizing theme for viewing the family as

moving through time” (Goldenberg &Goldenberg 2013) Each stage consists of specific

developmental tasks expected to be accomplished. The family life cycle stages of development

include independence, coupling, parenting launching, retirement and late life. The researchers

focus on three most relevant stages, namely independence, coupling, and parenting as identified

by Mcgoldrick et al. (2011)

2.2.6 Research Gap

After consulting various studies, General information about divorce rates have been given well

as those of young couples in this study. However, none of the research was specifically

conducted in Arusha City, concerning the factors causing divorce rates among young couples.

Khamis Mataka,(2013) ,Mr. Kimaro (2012), Rita (2012) Sylvester Gamangwa,(2008) . There are

limited number of studies done in the country in regard to the causes of divorce rates among

young couples. In order to fill this gap, the study aims to examine factors causing the divorce

rates among young couples in Arusha city.

21
 2.2.7Conceptual framework

Independent Variables Dependent Variables

Divorce Challenges
Causes of Divorce
 Street children
i Infidelity Intervening Variables  Single parent
 Domestic violence  Adultery  Loneliness
 Financial problems  Quarrelling  Poverty
 Immaturity  Mixed families  Stress
 Alcoholism 

Suggestions

 Go for counseling
 Talk about your needs
 Be accountable
 Have Quality time together
 Change the negative patterns


22
 1. CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

Briefly this chapter presents the research design and explains why the design is preferred. The

area of study, population, study variables, sampling technique, sample size determination

technique, the preferred research instruments, pilot study procedure, validity and reliability of the

instruments, data collection procedure, data analysis procedure and the ethical issues to be

observed during fieldwork are also discussed below.

3.2 Research Design

Kothari, (2004) defines research design as the arrangement of condition for collection and

analysis of data in a manner that aimed to combine relevance to the research purpose with the

economy in procedures .The study will employ the descriptive survey research design and

explanatory research design. This study design is selected because information will be collected

without changing the environment and nothing will be manipulated. The design will be suitable

because it will explain issues in details. It will help the researcher describe data and

characteristics about the population and phenomenon under study. Quantitative and qualitative

data will be collected using this study design and the data presented using frequencies and

percentages.

3.3 Area of the Study

This study will be conducted in Arusha city, in Arusha region, Tanzania .The study site is

purposively selected because the area has the population of 416,422 plus 323,198 in the

surrounding Arusha district. In addition, Arusha city is more and more growing with divorced

individuals which are migrants from other regions like Unguja South Mtwara, Urban West,

23
Lindi and Unguja North have a higher rate of divorce as the rate is over four per cent, which is

above the nation’s average of three per cent, according to the statistics of the 2012 Census.

3.4 Target Population

The target population for this study will be the young married couples living in their homes

within Arusha city. Pastors or Priests of different churches, Male participants ranged in ages

from 18 to 45. Female participants ranged in ages from 16 to 45.

3.5 Study Variables

The dependent variable in the study is divorce rates among young married couples. The

independent variables will be causes of divorce rates (socio-cultural and economic factors among

others).

3.6 Sampling Technique

According to Orodho and Kombo (2002), sampling is the process of collecting a number of

individuals or objects from a population such that the selected group contains elements

representative of the characteristics found in the entire group. Denscombe (2008) argues that no

specific rules on how to obtain an adequate sample have been formulated. The researcher will

use convenience sampling techniques, Purposive sampling or judgmental and Snowball

sampling. These techniques will enable the researcher to get participants who are readily

available and agree to participate in this study.

24
3.7 Sampling Frame

S/N Target Population Sample size Sample Technique

Size
02 Divorced Young 958 60 Snowball

couple
03 Priest/pastor 200 50 Purposive
04 Experienced couples 400 25 Convenience
O5 Social workers 120 12 Purposive
Total 1,678 147

3.8 Methods of Data Collection

In this study, both qualitative and quantitative data will be collected. This is because the two

methods left the possibility of change and of asking complementary questions. Qualitative aspect

is more dynamic, interactive and generates a more detailed data that contribute to in-depth

understanding of the context in which the phenomenon under study takes place, according to

Kombo and Tromp (2010). On the other hand, the quantitative approaches will make it possible

for the generation of the salient background characteristics of the study population. The approach

will, therefore, triangulated in nature, comprising questionnaires, focus group discussions and in-

depth interviews. The last two methods will be used to generate information from young women

and men groups, and key informants. The questionnaire will be used to enlist, in quantitative

terms, the background characteristics of young couples.

3.9 Research Instruments

The study will use various research instruments which included; structured questionnaires,

individuals and interview schedule.

25
Structured questionnaire: It is an instrument with both open-ended and closed-ended

questions. In closed-ended questions, response categories will be provided and respondents only

needed to select a particular answer. This instrument will be chosen because of its ability to

collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The questionnaires will not be given to the people

who underwent divorce but to generally individuals who participated in the study. It is of the

assumption that even those who are involved in marriage would give right information unnoticed

since the area of study is too personal

Interview schedule:

This instrument will be used to gather information from respondents who have deeper views

about the subject matter under study.

3.10 Reliability and Validity of the instruments

On reliability of the research instruments, the questionnaires will be pre-tested. The split-half

procedure will used to test the reliability of the instruments during the pilot-testing. This

procedure will be chosen over other methods such as Kuder Richardson approaches for its

simplicity. The open-ended and structured instruments will be scored by giving a mark for

relevant responses and a zero (0) for irrelevant and blank responses. The selected instruments

will be divided into two halves, taking the odd numbered against the even numbered items. After

administration to the pilot group, separate scores will be assigned to every respondent on the two

halves. The scores of the halves will, therefore be, analyzed, computed and then correlated using

the split-half measure of reliability (Golafshani, 2003). 49

Validity

26
Validity is the degree to which a test measures what it purports to measure or it is the degree to

which results obtained from the analysis of the data actually represents the phenomenon under

investigation. Content validity of the instruments was determined by expert judgments. The

experts will determine whether the items in the research instrument adequately represent all the

areas that needed to be investigated. In addition, the researcher also will have to ensure validity

of the data to be collected by administering the instruments personally as well as with the

assistance of well-trained field staff (Golafshani, 2003)

3.11 Data Collection Technique

Data will be collected through a self-administered questionnaire for the young couples and an

interview guide for the key informants. The study will also use focus group discussions ( FGDs)

to gain useful insights on the study objectives. The researcher will explain the purpose of the

study and offer guidance to the respondents on the way to fill in the questionnaire before

administering the questionnaire. For those respondents with difficulties in reading and filling in,

the researcher will be interviewed and filled in the information in the questionnaire for them.

3.12 Data Analysis

The results of the research will be both qualitative and quantitative information.

3.12.1 Quantitative Data Analysis

This is the process of presenting and interpreting numerical data. The responses collected from

the questionnaires will be checked for completeness and consistency and where errors are

27
detected, necessary cleaning will be done. The quantitative data collected is keyed in and

analyzed using descriptive statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences

(SPSS) version. The quantitative data generated will be subjected to the descriptive statistics

feature in SPSS to generate mean, median, mode, standard deviation and variance, which were

presented using tables, frequencies and percentages.

3.12.2 Qualitative Data Analysis

Qualitative data analysis often follows a general inductive approach (as opposed to a

hypothetical-deductive one) in the sense that explicit theories are not imposed on the data in a

test of a specific hypothesis. Rather, the data are allowed to “speak for themselves” by the

emergence of conceptual categories and descriptive themes. These themes are usually embedded

in a framework of interconnected ideas that “make sense.” The conceptual framework is then

interpreted by the researcher with reference to the literature on a topic in an attempt to explain,

with a theory (or a revision of one), the phenomenon being studied. Many different

interpretations are typically considered before the researcher builds a coherent argument in the

most transparent way possible (revealing how the conclusion was reached) so that others may

judge the validity of the study. In this research, the qualitative data from the in-depth interview

and focus group discussions will be analyzed using content analysis.

3.13. Data Management and Ethical.

First permission for conducting this study will be sought from ST. Augustine University. Then

the study subjects will be informed of their rights to participate or refuse to participate in the

study and their right to remain anonymous as their names are not to be mentioned anywhere in

this research.. The respondents’ answers will not be directed or coerced in anyway by the

research individual during the entire process of this research.

28
3.14. Time and Budget

Timetable

MONTH DATE NO.OF DAYS ACTIVITIES

November/Jan 15th-30th-2019 15 Proposal development
January 1st -30th-2020 30 Tool preparation

April 1st-30th-2020 30 Data collection

May 15th-20th-2020 15 Data Analysis

29
 May 21st-30th-2020 10 Data Presentation

June 1st-30th-2020 30 Report writing

June 30th-2020 1 Submission

Budget

The tentative budget Scrutiny for this study will be as the following:

S/N ITEM EXPENSES

01. Transport charges 150,000/-

02. Stationary costs for example. Typing, printing 200,000/-
03. Communication 100,000/-
04. Contingent/ miscellaneous expenditures 250,000/-
05. Total estimates 600,000/-

3.15 REFERENCES

Adegoke, T.G (2010) Socio-Cultural Factors as Determinants of Divorce Rates among women of

Reproductive Age in Ibadan Metropolis; Kamla-Raj Study Tribes Tribals; 8(2): 107-114

Adler, F. (1915). Marriage and divorce. New York: D. Appleton and Company.

American Book Company.

Arungu,LO.( 2014) Social indicators and effects of Marriage divorce in African societies.

Bascon, P and Herksvits, D (1990) Sex, friendship and marriage; Accra; Pentecost Press

30
Brandson, A (1990) Marriage Dissolution, Remarriage and Childbearing in West African: A

Comparison Study of Cote d’ Ivore, Ghana and Nigeria. Ph.D. Thesis, Philadelphia:

University of Pennsylvania

Burgess, E., & Locke, H. (1960). The family: From institution to companionship. New York:

Caldwell, K. (1998). Not Ozzie and Harriet. Law and Social Inquiry, 23, 1–49.

Carter, B &McGoldrich, M. (1989). The changing Family Life-cycle. A framework to family

Theraphy 2nded.

Cherlin, A. (2004). The deinstitutionalization of American marriage. Journal of Marriage and

Coontz, S. (2005). Marriage, a history: From obedience to intimacy, or how love conquered

Fagan, P. F., & Churchill, A. (2012). The effects of divorce on children. Marriage

&religion research institute.

Family, 66, 848–861.

Grath, R.J (2001) Woman-to-woman marriage: practice and benefits in Sub-Saharan Africa;

Journal of Comparative Family Studies; 29Adedokun O.A (1998) Widowhood, divorce

and waiting time: A neglected aspect of nuptiality studies in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of

Social Work Education, 2(2): 38-54

Gruyter. Jeynes, W. H. (1999). Effects of Remarriage Following Divorce on the Academic

Achievement of Children. Journal of Youth and Adolescence.

Harris Jr, W.E., & Bradley, K. D. (2004). The Impact of Stereotypes of Black Male College

In Child Abuse and Neglect: Biosocial Dimensions (pp. 215-232). New York: Aldine de

King, B.M.(2009). Human Sexuality today new Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Kyalo, P.(2012). A reflection on the African traditional values of marriage and sexuality.

Makwanise, N &Masuku M. (2016). African Traditional Views on Divorce.South Africa

31
marriage. New York: Viking. COONTZ / 15 Fam. Proc., Vol. 46, March, 2007

Merrill, Dm.2007. Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law: Understanding the relationship and

what makes them friends or foe. Westport, CT: praeger publishers.

Murphy, J. ( 2010). Techniques in prayer theraphy.Xlibris Corporation. Bloommington.

NuzulackDausen(2014). The Citizen Tzndausen@tz.nationmedia.com

Obi, P. R. (1990) Stability of marital unions and fertility in Nigeria. Journal of Biosocial

Science; 30:33-41

Oothuizen, R.(2014). Divorce in South Africa. What are the reasons for divorce in South

Africa.SA Journal of Psychology.

Preller, B. (2014). Everyone’s guide to divorce and separation. Cape Town, South: Africa;Zebra

press.

Scarpitti, M. & Anderson, P R.(2011).Causes of Divorce. London: Ally and Bacon.

Student’s Perception of Marriage .

Wilson , M., & Daly, M. (1987). The Risk of Maltreatment of Children Living with Stepparents.

32