Factors Influencing Marriege instabilities in Kisarawe district, Coastal Region, Tanzania

Abstract

Th is study examined the factors infl uencing marriage instability in Kisarawe District. Th e data was collected
from a sample of 270 women from unstable marriages. Th e primary data was collected by using a structured
questionnaire. Th e results of the study indicated that mothers and children were the major victims of unstable
marriages in the district. Th e children of unstable marriages are deprived of basic social services such as
education and health services. Moreover, there was a strong association between frequency of remarriages with
age and education. It was also found that poverty, education and culture like religion were the major causes of
marriage instability in the district. Besides this there were many intervention measures applied to solve some
of the problems related to marriage instabilities. Th ese include community participation in caring deprived
mothers and children. It is recommended that the marriage law of 1971 should be reviewed in order to reduce
marriage instabilities which lead to poor child care.