Peer-reviewed article
Early marriage, education and mental health: experiences of adolescent girls in Mozambique
Joaquim M. Nhampoca, Jeanette E. Maritz ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This qualitative study looked at why adolescent girls marry early in Maganja da Costa and Morrumbala districts of Zambézia Province, Mozambique, and how early marriage and pregnancy affect their lives. Researchers interviewed 25 participants using a life-story approach. Early marriage was linked to socio-cultural factors such as expected social roles, the value placed on childbearing, dowry, rite-of-passage ceremonies and a girl's first menstruation. School dropout, often due to distance and transport problems, pushed girls toward early marriage. The consequences were mainly harmful, affecting relationships, education and career opportunities, emotional well-being and access to support.
Key points
- Early marriage and pregnancy are closely tied to socio-cultural elements such as dowry, rite-of-passage ceremonies and the significance of first menstruation.
- School dropout often starts with geographical and transportation challenges and nudges girls toward early marriage.
- In some cases termination of pregnancy was seen as a solution, and sexual activity was seen as giving purpose to life or as a response to poverty.
- Some positive changes and emotions were reported, but the effects of early pregnancy and marriage were mostly negative.
- The modern view that marriage should be after 18 and that boys and girls have equal educational rights conflicts with the socio-cultural view of adulthood.
Limitations
This is a qualitative study of 25 participants in two districts, so the findings describe experiences and cannot show how common they are or be generalised. The abstract gives no detail on participant ages or on how many of the views were held by each group.
Abstract
Introduction and backgroundEarly marriage and maternity represent a violation of human rights and a barrier to achieving gender equality in education. Studies conducted across various regions and countries, including Mozambique, have highlighted the negative consequences of early marriage and maternity, particularly on adolescent girls' physical, educational and mental health. Adolescent girls who marry before the age of 18 are more prone to a broad spectrum of mood, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders. In the districts of Maganja da Costa and Morrumbala in Zambézia Province, Mozambique, high rates of early marriage persist despite government policies and interventions.Purpose statementThis study aims to understand early marriage's socio-cultural, economic, and psychological drivers and impacts on adolescent girls' lives, focusing on education, mental health, and well-being.Design and methodsThis paper used a qualitative research design. We employed a life-story approach and used purposeful sampling to identify participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants and the data were analysed using Tesch's thematic analysis approach.ResultsElements contributing to early marriage and pregnancy are intricately linked with socio-cultural elements. These include the induction into specific societal roles, the affirmation of childbearing, the perceived importance of dowry, the impact of rite-of-passage ceremonies, and the cultural significance associated with a girl's initial menstruation. School dropout often originates from geographical and transportation challenges, nudging adolescent girls towards early marriage. In some instances, termination of pregnancy was viewed as a solution, while engaging in sexual activities was seen as a means to inject purpose into their lives or as a response to poverty. Positive changes and emotions were evident, yet regrettably, the ramifications of early pregnancy and marriage were primarily detrimental. These influenced the adolescent girls' interpersonal connections, educational and career opportunities, emotional well-being, and access to support networks.ConclusionsThe modern perspective, which advocates for equal educational rights for boys and girls and posits that marriage should occur after the age of 18, contradicts the socio-cultural perspective of adulthood.ContributionThis study adds to the ongoing efforts to prevent and combat early marriage and maternity in Africa.