Marriage in Islam and its Impact on the Acquisition of Western Education among Muslim Youths in the Briqueterie Neighborhood in the Yaound? II Municipality, Center Region, Cameroon

Authors

  • Bongwong Bruno
  • Aeshitu Sali

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59573/emsj.7(1).2023.4

Keywords:

Early Marriage, Cultural Beliefs, Western Education, Obstetric Fistula

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the impact of early marriages on the acquisition of western education among Muslim youths in the Briqueterie neighborhood in the Yaound? II municipality Center Region of Cameroon. This study employed the qualitative research approach with an ethnographic research design. The target population of the study was made up of an estimated number of 2,589 of Muslim youths, 7,450 parents and 100 administrators in the Ministry of Secondary Education and the accessible population consisted 694 potential respondents selected from the Muslim Community, ministry of secondary education and Muslim Youth’s Associations in the Briqueterie neighborhood in the Yaound? II municipality. The sample of this study was made up of 64 participants comprising of 30 parents (mothers and fathers) and 24 Muslim youths (male and female) and 10 administrators. The purposive and snow balling sampling technique in conjunction with simple random sampling was used to select respondents in selected Muslim association in the Briqueterie neighborhood. Data was collected using a semi structured interview guide and a focus group discussion guide and was analyzed thematically with the aid of Atlasti version 2.1, designed for qualitative data. Findings showed that early marriage in Islam has both negative and positive impact on the acquisition of western education among Muslim youths. The study therefore concludes that early marriage has a negative impact on Muslim girl’s health (physiological, psychological), education, and social wellbeing as its negative impacts outweigh the positive impacts. The researchers therefore recommend that this practice should be completely eradicated and girls should be allowed to be educated, get well mature before getting married. In addition, the study requests that the marriage age for girls should be at least 18 years. In addition neonatal death, maternal deaths, illiteracy and poverty are outcomes that promotes urgent regulations along with strong determination of government, civil societies and communities to work in tendon to face this international, national and global crisis in the Briqueterie neighborhood in particular and in the world at large.

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Published

2023-04-06

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Section

Articles