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AEGIS European Conference on African Studies
11 - 14 July 2007
African Studies Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Marriage partner choice in modern Tanzanian and Zambian students and their attitudes towards optimal fertility rate
| Panel |
2. Representation of the African Family of the 21st Century
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| Paper ID | 191 |
| Author(s) |
Butovskaya, Marina
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| Paper |
No paper submitted
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| Abstract | The goal of this paper is to analyze the views of modern African students (Tanzanians and Zambians) concerning their choice of desirable marriage partners (PMP), and to look for a modern changes in traditional representations about the family and marriage in line with transitional processes in modern urban environment. We conducted a questionnaire study with students from the University of Dar-es-Salaam and the Lusaka University. All young people recruited for this study were of African origin and participated in it voluntarily. As a result, our final sample was composed of 316 respondents (191 men and 125 women). Our data provide revealed a tendency for changes in family values in this particular social group. The majority of respondents do not approve the institute of polygyny, and agree about the necessity of gender equality in family and society. The majority of both gender suggested that 3 children per family is optimum. Gender differences were found in attitudes for sex before marriage. The majority of men stated that the social status of a future spouse is not important, but half of women’s sample indicated that they would like to have a PMP of similar or higher social status. Our results are consistant with other studies on permanent partner choice. Particularly, facial appearance and body parameters sound as more important criteria of PMP for men. Men also reported that the body shape of PMP is an important factor. For women these factors were less important. Intelligence and education level were regarded as more important criteria for the future husband, than for the future wife. Similar to other cultures, Tanzanian and Zambian women appreciated a financial security and a sense of humor in their future husband to a much greater extant than vise versa. The ethnic origin of a future spouse has estimated as of secondary importance. This study was supported by RFHR, grant # 04-01-00244a.
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