Factors Leading to Early Marriages in Selected Communities of Lusaka District in Zambia

Abstract

Early marriage is a harmful traditional practice that continues to affect millions around the world. Though it has declined over the years, it is still pervasive in developing countries. Hence, the purpose of carrying this study was to investigate into the factors contributing to early marriages in selected communities of Lusaka district in Zambia. The research was carried out at 6 selected schools where teachers are expected to understand learners’ Psychological state and the communities at large where different leaders as well as members of the community where giving and bringing out the factors, through their written texts because mostly the words and expressions used are indicative of the state of mind as well as revealing emotional states learners go through when they recount their experiences. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods and a descriptive survey design that sampled 60 participants purposively and conveniently. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews, observations and written text (script) analysis. The data was analyzed by the use of software; Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 26) and Microsoft Excel (version 16). Frequency tables, graphs, figures, and pie charts were also used to analyze the data. The findings indicated that teachers have developed notions that belittle what pupils can do. Interviews revealed that learners especially at junior level, have been perceived and labelled to be potential upcoming wives. Such learners are not even helped to change their state of mind. Furthermore, the study revealed that learners’ outward appearance does not reflect or collaret with what they do or write in class. Learners who appear to be very clever orally perform the opposite in written texts. Therefore, the study recommended that teachers should actually play a very critical role using written texts by learners to help identify needy areas that may require shaping their writing skills, developing their critical reasoning and instilling good interpretive skills so that learners can come out as critical, classical and creative writers.