Impact of Polygamous Marriage Arrangement on Children Education in the Tempane District

Abstract

One critical area that has received limited empirical attention in research is the impact of polygamous family structures on the education of children who grew up in such households. This study was therefore conducted to establish the effect of this cultural and social institution called polygamous marriage on children education. This qualitative study used a case study design to collect data from 20 individuals from polygamous families. Data was gathered using an interview guide and analysed thematically. From the data analyses, it was found that polygamous marriage has both positive and negative effects on the education of children from those families though the negative consequences seem to have outweighed the positive. It was therefore concluded that polygamous marriage has the potential of influencing children education positively or negatively depending on the character or attitude of the spouses involved.