Faith Effect and Voice on Early Marriage in a Nigerian State

The rate of early marriage is 87% in northwest Nigeria, although it is 56% in Kaduna. One major issue is that early marriage is often rationalized as a religious norm. This study explores the role of faith leaders in advancing the cause of adolescent girls regarding the timing of marriage in Kaduna...

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Main Author: Jimoh Amzat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2020-05-01
Series:SAGE Open
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020919513
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spelling doaj-012bf3585f334fc381f78fde5fe9d2252021-05-03T08:33:21ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open2158-24402020-05-011010.1177/2158244020919513Faith Effect and Voice on Early Marriage in a Nigerian StateJimoh Amzat0Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, NigeriaThe rate of early marriage is 87% in northwest Nigeria, although it is 56% in Kaduna. One major issue is that early marriage is often rationalized as a religious norm. This study explores the role of faith leaders in advancing the cause of adolescent girls regarding the timing of marriage in Kaduna state. This qualitative study took place in three local government areas: Chikun (Mixed Christians and Muslims), Makarfi (majority Muslims), and Zangon-Kataf (majority Christians) were purposively selected to have a variety of mixed religious contexts. Using purposive sampling methods, the researcher conducted 24 focus group discussions with adolescent girls, 24 in-depth interviews with faith leaders, and 12 key informant interviews with other stakeholders. The study used a framework method for analyzing qualitative data. The study found that faith leaders play essential roles in rationalizing or discouraging early marriage through preaching and other activities. The study identifies three categories of faith leaders concerning early marriage. Some are proactive, discoursing about it. The second category is the passive faith leaders, somehow indifferent but has never preached against or in favor of early marriage. The last set consists of faith leaders promoting early marriage—who think early marriage is still beneficial. The study recommends that considering the social position of faith leaders and critical role in sanctioning marital unions, they could be considered as a vital link in efforts to curtail early marriage.https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020919513
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Jimoh Amzat
spellingShingle Jimoh Amzat
Faith Effect and Voice on Early Marriage in a Nigerian State
SAGE Open
author_facet Jimoh Amzat
author_sort Jimoh Amzat
title Faith Effect and Voice on Early Marriage in a Nigerian State
title_short Faith Effect and Voice on Early Marriage in a Nigerian State
title_full Faith Effect and Voice on Early Marriage in a Nigerian State
title_fullStr Faith Effect and Voice on Early Marriage in a Nigerian State
title_full_unstemmed Faith Effect and Voice on Early Marriage in a Nigerian State
title_sort faith effect and voice on early marriage in a nigerian state
publisher SAGE Publishing
series SAGE Open
issn 2158-2440
publishDate 2020-05-01
description The rate of early marriage is 87% in northwest Nigeria, although it is 56% in Kaduna. One major issue is that early marriage is often rationalized as a religious norm. This study explores the role of faith leaders in advancing the cause of adolescent girls regarding the timing of marriage in Kaduna state. This qualitative study took place in three local government areas: Chikun (Mixed Christians and Muslims), Makarfi (majority Muslims), and Zangon-Kataf (majority Christians) were purposively selected to have a variety of mixed religious contexts. Using purposive sampling methods, the researcher conducted 24 focus group discussions with adolescent girls, 24 in-depth interviews with faith leaders, and 12 key informant interviews with other stakeholders. The study used a framework method for analyzing qualitative data. The study found that faith leaders play essential roles in rationalizing or discouraging early marriage through preaching and other activities. The study identifies three categories of faith leaders concerning early marriage. Some are proactive, discoursing about it. The second category is the passive faith leaders, somehow indifferent but has never preached against or in favor of early marriage. The last set consists of faith leaders promoting early marriage—who think early marriage is still beneficial. The study recommends that considering the social position of faith leaders and critical role in sanctioning marital unions, they could be considered as a vital link in efforts to curtail early marriage.
url https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020919513
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