"International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment"

Author(s): Jaha Mulema

Abstract: Family structure has long been thought to influence reproductive behaviour. Extended family households (including multiple generations or relatives) are often presumed to encourage higher fertility than nuclear households (a couple and their children). However, socio-economic factors such as education and income may confound this relationship. This study examines the number of children in nuclear versus extended family households in Morogoro Region, Tanzania, controlling for demographic factors. The study analysed survey data on 319 married women (234 in nuclear families, 85 in extended families) from Morogoro Region. Researcher compared mean number of children between nuclear and extended households and applied multivariate regression controlling for age, education level, and occupation. Nuclear and extended family households showed no significant difference in mean number of children (4.65 versus 4.96, p>0.2). After controlling for age and socio-demographic covariates, the effect of family type on number of children remained statistically non-significant. Instead, education emerged as a significant predictor: women with secondary education had about 0.56 fewer children than those with only primary education (p<0.05). Older age was associated with slightly more children (p<0.01). Occupational differences (e.g. farmers versus formally employed) showed expected fertility patterns but were not statistically significant in this sample. In Morogoro, extended family households do not have significantly more children than nuclear households once education, age, and related factors are taken into account. The findings suggest that broader socio-economic characteristics, particularly women’s education, play a more decisive role in reproductive behaviour than family form per se. Programmes aiming to influence fertility should prioritize female education and economic empowerment across all family structures.

DOI: 10.22271/27067483.2025.v7.i7a.380

Pages: 16-21 | Views: 506 | Downloads: 136

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