EFFECTS OF EARLY MARRIAGE ON EDUCATION OF TEENAGERS IN TIENG’RE VILLAGE,

KISUMU WEST SUB-COUNTY.

INDEX NUMBER : 741105/1339

NAME: FAITH CHRISTINE AKEYO.

COURSE : DIPLOMA IN SOCIAL WORK AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

COURSE CODE : 2428

PAPER CODE :2428/307

CENTER CODE : 741105

CENTER NAME: THE KISUMU NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC.

SUPERVISOR: MR CHARLTON OKUMU.

THIS RESEARCH PROJECT PROBLEM IS SUBMITED TO THE KENYA NATIONAL EXAMINATION

COUNCIL FOR THE AWARD OF DIPLOMA SOCIAL WORK.

NOVEMBER 2024.

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DECLARATION.
I DECLARE THAT THIS PROPOSAL IS MY ORIGINAL WORK AND HAS NOT BEEN PRESENTED
FOR ANY ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION IN ANY OTHER INSTITUTION.
STUDENTS NAME: FAITH CHRISTINE AKEYO.
SIGNATURE:______________________
DATE:___________________________

SUPERVISOR NAME: CHARLTON OKUMU.

SIGNATURE:____________________
DATE:_________________________

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DEDICATION
My sincere gratitude appreciation goes to my parents for their continued moral and
financial support and encouragement they have been giving me throughout my research
period.
May the Almighty God bless you abundantly.

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ACKNOLDGEMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to;
The Almighty God for the gift of life.
My parents for the financial support throughout the study.
My family members and friends for their tireless moral support.

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ABSTRACT.
The research explored the impact of early marriage on the education of teenagers in
Tieng're Village, Kisumu West Sub-county.The main objective of this research was to
determine the causes of early marriage among teenagers of Tieng're Village, effects of early
marriage and to establish measures to curb early marriage in Tieng're Village.The researcher
synthesized existing research on early marriage and it's impact on education globally and
within Kenya, revealing a gap in localized studies addressing this issue in Tieng're Village.The
researcher targeted a sample size of 481 respondents and some of the data collection
instruments used was interview and questionnaires.The researcher used a combination of
purposive and stratified sampling techniques to effectively gather data for the study on the
effects of early marriage on education of teenagers in Tieng're Village.The researcher
employed a qualitative approach, using interview and questionnaires to the teenagers and
the community members to understand the extent to which early marriage disrupted
schooling. Findings indicated that early marriage led to increased dropout e, reduced
educational attainment, stigmatization and social isolation and early pregnancy disruption.
The researcher concluded according to the objectives and recommendation. The researcher
therefore recommends that there should be economic empowerment of families,
strengthening the enforcement of existing law and policies and enforcement of policies.

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Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE. ...................................................................................................................................... 8
1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT. ................................................................................................................... 8
1.4 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. ................................................................................................................ 9
1.5 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES. .................................................................................................................. 9
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS. ................................................................................................................... 9
1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY. .......................................................................................................... 9
1.8 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY.......................................................................................................... 9
1.9 THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY. ............................................................................................................. 9
1.9.1 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK. ...................................................................................................... 10
1.9.2 DEFINITION OF OPERATIONAL TERMS. ...................................................................................... 10
CHAPTER TWO .................................................................................................................................... 12
LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................................... 12
2.1 INTRODUCTION. ............................................................................................................................ 12
2.2 CAUSES OF EARLY MARRIAGE OF TEENAGERS. ............................................................................. 12
2.2.1 GENDER INEQUALITY. ................................................................................................................ 12
2.2.2 TEEN PREGNANCY. ..................................................................................................................... 13
2.2.3 POVERTY AND MARRIAGE. ......................................................................................................... 14
2.2.4 PEER INFLUENCE. ....................................................................................................................... 15
2. 2. 5 LACK OF EDUCATION. .............................................................................................................. 16
2.3 EFFECTS OF EARLY MARRIAGE ON THE EDUCATION OF TEENAGERS IN TIENG’RE VILLAGE. ........ 17
2.3.1 School Dropout. ......................................................................................................................... 17
2.3.2 Limited career opportunities. .................................................................................................... 17
2.3.3 Early pregnancy disruptions. ...................................................................................................... 17
2.3.4 Reduced education attainment. ................................................................................................ 17
2.3.5 Stigmatization and social isolation. ............................................................................................ 17
2.4 PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO CURB EARLY MARRIAGE OF TEENAGERS IN TIENG’RE
VILLAGE............................................................................................................................................... 17
CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................................. 20
RESEARCH METHODLOGY ................................................................................................................... 20
3.1 Introduction. ................................................................................................................................. 20
3.2 Research design. ........................................................................................................................... 20
3.3 Study Area..................................................................................................................................... 20
3.4 Target Population. ........................................................................................................................ 21
3.5 Sample and sampling techniques. ................................................................................................. 21
3.6 Data collection instrument. .......................................................................................................... 22

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3.6.1 Interview. ................................................................................................................................... 22
3.6.2 Questionnaire. ........................................................................................................................... 22
3.7 Validity and reliability. .................................................................................................................. 22
3.7.2 Reliability. .................................................................................................................................. 22
3.8 Data Analysis. ................................................................................................................................ 23
3.9 Ethical Considerations. .................................................................................................................. 23
3.9.1 General practice issues. ............................................................................................................. 23
3.9.2 Basic knowledge of state law. .................................................................................................... 23
3.9.3 Avoiding inappropriate advocacy. .............................................................................................. 23
CHAPTER FOUR ................................................................................................................................... 24
DATA FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATION .............................................................................................. 24
4.0 Introduction. ................................................................................................................................. 24
4.1 Response Rate. ............................................................................................................................. 24
4.3. Effects of early marriage on education of Tieng’re Village. .......................................................... 26
CHAPTER FIVE ..................................................................................................................................... 29
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................ 29
5.0introduction ................................................................................................................................... 29
5.1.1 The effect of early marriage on teenagers in Tiengre village. .................................................... 29
5.2. Conclusions .................................................................................................................................. 29
5.3 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................ 30
5.1.2. Causes of early marriage among teenagers of Tiengre village .................................................. 30
5.1.3 Measures to curb early marriage in Tiengre village ................................................................... 30
APPENDICIES ....................................................................................................................................... 32
APPENDICIES 1: LETTER OF INTRODUCTION TO THE RESPONDENT. .................................................. 32
APPENDIX 11: QUESTIONAIRE............................................................................................................. 33
APPENDIX 111: INTERVIEW SCHEDULE ............................................................................................... 36
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................ 37

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CHAPTER ONE.
Early marriage also as child marriage has been recognized as a global problem that cuts
across countries, cultures and regions. Globally nearly 1 in 3 girls are married before they
turn 18 years and 1 in 7 are married before the age of 15 (UNICEF, 2016), Although early
marriage affects both boys and girls, studies have shown that girls are the most vulnerable
children to child marriage (UN ICEF,2019). It should be noted that child marriage cuts down
the future and life of a child marriage cuts down the future and life of a child. Even in terms
of gender aspect of economic development, girl’s contribution and opportunities for
realization of their potential are curtailed. Thus, defeating the declaration of Education for
All. It traps girls, their families and community in a cycle of intergenerational poverty.
Education attainment is also gendered as most teenagers who enter marriage leave school.
Early marriage in Africa is rampant as compared to other to other continents. This may be
because of the culture of the people of Africa or even poverty. In East Africa, most cases are
reported that teenagers drop out of school due to pregnancy which was caused by being
involved in early marriage. In Kenya, the youth population with young people between the
age of 15-19 is large accounting 25%ofthe population of the country in other part of Africa
and rest of the world, these young people are faced with tremendous challenges in the
transmit ion of the adulthood which sometimes lead them into early marriage. In Tieng’re
Village, the situation of dropping out of school perpetuates the cycle of illiteracy among
teenagers and reduces their opportunity to gain skills that would enable them to start a job.
Hence, there was need for a serious attention to address the problem of early marriage
through this study.

1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT.

Early marriage among teenagers has a direct implication on school dropout among
teenagers. A number of studies concur that many young people drop out of school as result
of early marriage. In Kenya a study conducted in 1985 estimated that about 10% of female
students drop out of secondary school because they are pregnant which was as a result of
early marriage. This is a case because there was no data on the number of teenagers who
drop out of school due to early marriage.

Apart from that, early marriage leads to early pregnancy that increases the risk of
complications during pregnancy and childbirth (Simoya and Cheelo, 2019). It puts young

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mothers at a significantly higher risk of death when it comes to childbearing. The risk of
dying from the pregnancy related causes is 4 times higher in adolescent under sixteen years
than for women in their early twenties. This affects the education of the teenager.

Early marriage also leads to disruption of education in that there is immediate effect on the
grade of the teenage as they perform poorly, low attendance of the teenagers and low
willingness to engage in school activities.

1.4 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY.

The main purpose of the study was to establish the impacts of early marriage on teenagers’
education in Tieng’re Village in Kisumu County.

1.5 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES.

i.) To determine causes of early marriage among teenagers of Tieng’re Village.

ii.) To examine effects of early marriage on education of teenagers of Tieng’re Village.

iii.) To establish measures to curb early marriage in Tieng’re Village.

1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS.

i.) What are the causes of early marriage among teenagers of Tieng’re Village.

ii.) What are effects of early marriage on education of teenagers in Tieng’re Village.

iii.) What are some of the measures to curb early marriage in Tieng’re Village.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY.

1. The time allocated for the study was not enough.

2. Underreporting. Cultural and social stigmas lead to underreporting of early marriages and
dropout rates.

3. Insufficient or unreliable data on early marriage and educational attainment.

1.8 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY.

The research will be significant to the school authorities and policymakers to know what to
do in a bid to curb the negative effect emerging from early marriage.

1.9 THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY.

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 The study will focus on the effects of early marriage on education of teenagers in Tieng’re
Village, Kisumu West Sub-county.

1.9.1 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK.

EARLY MARRIAGE

Education Disruption

Short-term Education outcomes Long-term Educational outcomes

Effect on educational attainment.

Immediate effect on ; i.)attendance
Effect on career opportunities.
ii.)Grade
Effect on economic independence.
iii.)Engagement in

school activities.

From the figure above, early marriage as the independent variable, initiates the framework
by the framework by potentially disrupting the teenagers’ education. The structure shows
the effects of early marriage on education of teenagers.

1.9.2 DEFINITION OF OPERATIONAL TERMS.

Teenager: A person aged between 13 (thirteen) years and 19 (nineteen) years old.

Marriage: The legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal
relationship.

Early marriage: Any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the age of 18
and an adult or another child.

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Child marriage: Also known as early marriage.

UNICEF: United Nations Children’s Fund.

Adolescent: Process of developing from a child into an adult.

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 CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 INTRODUCTION.
The chapter entails a literature review of objective one, two and three of the study
objectives. Early marriage, defined as the union of individuals below the age of 18, was a
widespread issue with profound effects on education of teenagers globally. In many parts of
the world, particularly in low and middle-income countries, early marriage disrupts
educational attainment, curtailing the potential for personal and socio-economic
development. Within East Africa, the prevalence of early marriage remains alarmingly high,
exacerbating gender disparities and hindering educational progress, The African continent
as whole faces significant challenges, with early marriage perpetuating cycles of poverty and
limiting access to education, especially for girls. In Kenya, national efforts to combat early
marriage have shown progress, yet regions like Kisumu West and specifically Tieng’re Village
continue to grapple with its detrimental impacts. Understanding the nuanced effects of
early marriage on education in Tieng’re Village requires multi-layered analysis from global to
local perspective, highlighting both commonality and unique challenges in this rural
community.

2.2 CAUSES OF EARLY MARRIAGE OF TEENAGERS.

2.2.1 GENDER INEQUALITY.
Globally, gender inequality significantly contributes to the prevalence of early marriage. In
many cultures, girls are often seen as less valuable than boys, leading to practices that
disadvantage them.

In Africa, traditional and cultural norms heavily influence gender roles, often placing girls in
a subordinate position to boys. Early marriage was prevalent due to deeply rooted
patriarchal systems where girls are viewed as a property or economic assets. Additionally,
poverty exacerbates the situation as families marry of daughters early to receive dowries or
to reduce the number of dependants. This practice not only limits educational and career
opportunities for girls but exposes them to health risk like early pregnancies and gender –
based violence.

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In East Africa, including countries like Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, early marriage is
influenced by both cultural traditions and socio-economic conditions. Gender inequality
manifested through limited access to education for girls, societal pressure to conform to
tradition roles that drive families to marry off daughters.

In Kenya, gender inequality and early marriage are interlinked through socio-cultural and
economic factors. Traditional customs, such as bride price, reinforce the idea that girls are
economic assets, leading to early marriage.

In Kisumu, gender inequality is a cause to early marriage and unfortunately girls are the
ones who are the ones who are mostly affected. Additionally, gender disparities in
education mean that girls are often taken out of school to be married off.

In most cases in Tieng’re Village, girls are highly affected by early marriage since they have
limited educational opportunities, thus reducing their employment chances and the power
to compete with their male counterparts.

2.2.2 TEEN PREGNANCY.

According to the global view, teen pregnancy often leads to early marriage due to social
stigma, economic pressure and cultural expectations. In many societies, an unmarried
pregnant teenager faces significant social ostracism and limited support systems, pushing
her and her family towards marriage as a solution.

In Africa, the cultural context significantly influences the relationship between teen
pregnancy and early marriage. Many African communities’ priorities family honor and the
social acceptability of children being born within marriage. Consequently, when a teenager
becomes pregnant, her family may feel compelled to marry her off quickly to avoid social
disgrace.

In East Africa, the dynamic between teen pregnancy between and early marriage was
influenced by a combination of socio-cultural and economic factors. In rural areas,
traditional beliefs and lack of comprehensive sex education exacerbate the issue. Early
marriages following teen pregnancies often result in girls dropping out of school,
perpetuating the cycle of poverty and limiting their future prospects.

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Teen pregnancy was significant driver of early marriage in Kenya and it is influenced by
socio-cultural norms and economic conditions. Pregnant teenagers face immense social
pressure and stigma, leading families to arrange marriages to maintain family honour.

In Kisumu, the link between teen pregnancy and early marriages is pronounced due to
specific local factors. Cultural norms and economic challenges drive the practice, with teen
pregnancies often resulting in immediate marriage to avoid family shame and provide some
level of economic stability.

In Tieng’re Village, Girls who continue learning after getting married, find themselves at the
risk of terminating their education once they get pregnant. Given the nature of classroom
experiences through interaction and participation, the girls find life unbearable, and thus
they decided to drop out and concentrated with marital life.

2.2.3 POVERTY AND MARRIAGE.

According to the international prospective, economic hardship pushes families to marry off
daughters early to reduce the number of dependents and receive dowries.

In Africa, a high level of poverty makes early marriage an attractive option for families
seeking financial relief through dowries or reducing the number of dependents which is
seen in most cases.

In East Africa, the intersection of poverty and early marriages is stark. Economic hardship
compels families to marry off daughters at a young age to lessen their financial burden. The
lack of educational infrastructure and infrastructure and opportunities in improvished areas
further contributes to this issue, a girls who are not in school are more likely to be married
early.

Nationally, poverty is a critical factor contributing to early marriage, particularly in rural and
underdeveloped areas. Although Kenya has laws against child marriage, enforcement is
challenging, especially in regions where poverty is widespread, and traditional practices are
deeply rooted.

In Kisumu, poverty is significant driver of early marriage. The area faces economic
challenges, with many families living below the poverty line. In such an environment, early
marriage is often seen as a strategy to alleviate financial strain.

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In Tieng’re Village, financial stability exerts a substantial impact on a child’s learning and
school attendance, and this influence contributes to girl’s early marriage in many ways.
Many parents in Tieng’re Village decide to let their girls marry and reduce the financial
burden that come with education. The marital status becomes an influential predictor of
school attendance for the married teenagers.

2.2.4 PEER INFLUENCE.

At an international level, peer influence as a cause of early marriage is recognized globally.
In many cultures, teenagers are influenced by their peers’ behaviours and choices, including
marriage. Social norms and expectations within peer groups can pressure individuals to
marry early to conform and given acceptance.

In Africa, peer influence plays a significant role in early marriage due to closely –knit
community structures. African societies often place a strong emphasis on communal values
and traditions. When peers in the community marry early, it sets a precedent and creates
social pressure for other teenagers to follow suit. The desire to align with peers and meet
societal expectations can drive teenagers toward early marriage, especially in rural and less
economically developed areas.

In East Africa, the impact of peer influence on early marriage is particularly pronounced in
both rural and urban settings. Social networks and peer groups are crucial in shaping
attitudes and behaviours. Young girls may feel compelled to marry early if their friends or
schoolmate are doing so.

At the national level in Kenya, peer influence remains a significant factor in early marriages,
particularly in regions with high poverty rates and limited educational opportunities. Kenyan
teenagers may marry early to fit in with their peers due to societal pressures within their
immediate community.

In Kisumu, peer influence is a critical factor in early marriages. Kisumu like many urban
areas, experiences a mix of traditional and modern influence. Peer pressure among
teenagers can be intense, with young girls often feeling the need to marry early if their
friends do.

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In Tieng’re Village, peer pressure is common among girls as the pressure is exacerbated by
socio-economic challenges and limited access to education and employment opportunities.

2. 2. 5 LACK OF EDUCATION.
Globally, lack of education is a significant driver of early marriage among teenagers.
Education provides knowledge, skills and opportunities that can delay marriage and lead to
better socio-economic outcomes. In many countries, girls who are out of school are more
likely to marry early due to limited future prospects and societal expectations. Education
empowers girls to make informed decisions and pursue career goals, reducing the likelihood
of early marriage.

In Africa, the connection between lack of education and early marriage is well-documented.
Many African countries face challenges in providing accessible and quality education,
particularly for girls. In regions with high poverty rates, families may prioritize boy’s
education over girl’s, viewing marriage as the best option for their daughters without
education, girls have fewer opportunities for employment and are more vulnerable to early
marriage as a means of economic and social security.

In East Africa, the lack of education is critical factor contributing factor contributing to early
marriages. Educational infrastructure and resources are often limited, especially in rural
areas, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting economic development. Efforts to
improve education access and retention rates for girls are essential to combating early
marriage in this region.

In Kenya, the lack of education significantly influences early marriage rates. Many girls drop
out of school due to financial constraints, cultural practices, and gender biases. Early
marriage is often seen as a viable alternative for girls who are not receiving an education.

In Kisumu, the lack of education is a prominent cause of early marriage among teenagers.
The region faces socio-economic challenges that hinder educational access, particularly for
girls.

In Tieng’re Village, the lack of education is a direct and pressing cause of early marriage. The
village faces specific challenges such as limited school facilities, long distances to
educational institutions, and cultural norms that deprioritize girl’s education. Families may

16
see marriage as the best option for their daughters due to the lack of educational
opportunities and resources.

2.3 EFFECTS OF EARLY MARRIAGE ON THE EDUCATION OF TEENAGERS IN TIENG’RE

VILLAGE.
2.3.1 School Dropout.
Early marriage often forces teenagers, particularly girls, to leave school prematurely. Once
married, they are expected to prioritize household responsibilities and family life, limiting
their ability to continue their education. This leads to a significant dropout rate among
teenagers who are married early.
2.3.2 Limited career opportunities.
With lower educational attainment, teenagers who marry early have fewer opportunities to
pursue professional careers. Their limited qualifications often lead them to low – paying
jobs or dependence on their spouses, which perpetuates cycles of poverty in families and
communities.
2.3.3 Early pregnancy disruptions.
Early marriage is often accompanied by early pregnancy, which leads to further disruptions
in education. Teenage mothers struggle with balancing motherhood and schooling, often
leading to absenteeism or permanent withdrawal from school due to the physical and
emotional demands of pregnancy and child-rearing.
2.3.4 Reduced education attainment.
Teenagers who marry early tend to have lower levels of education attainment. Their focus
shifts to managing marriage and child-rearing, leaving little to no time for academic growth.
As a result they miss out on opportunities for higher education and skill development, which
hampers their future prospects.
2.3.5 Stigmatization and social isolation.
Teenage girls who marry early and attempt to continue their education often face
stigmatization from peers and community. This social isolation discourages them from
returning to school after marriage, further affecting their ability access and complete
education.
2.4 PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO CURB EARLY MARRIAGE OF TEENAGERS IN
TIENG’RE VILLAGE.
In order to prevent early marriage among teenagers in Tieng’re village, there should be
empowering of girls through education .This can be by ensuring that girls have access to
quality education is a key strategy .Scholarships ,provision of school supplies, and improving
the school infrastructure can encourage parents to keep their daughters in school.

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Additionally, offering vocational training and life skills programs can provide girls with
alternatives to early marriages, showing them and their families the value of continued
education.

The second measure to be taken is engaging men and boys in the fight against early
marriage are vital. Programs that educate young men about gender equality and the
benefits of delaying marriage for both partners can change societal norms. By involving
them in discussions and initiatives, they become advocates for their sisters’ right to
education and personal development.

The third measure to be taken is implementing and enforcing laws that set a minimum age
for marriage is essential. Local authorities should work closely with community leaders to
ensure these laws are respected and that violations are promptly addressed. Training law
enforcement officers and judiciary members on the importance of these laws can improve
compliance and reduce instances of early marriage.

Many families resort to early marriage due to economic hardships, providing financial
support, such as conditional cash transfers or microfinance opportunities, can reduce the
economic pressure to marry off children. These programs can be linked to educational
attendance, ensuring that families have the means to support their children’s education
rather than seeing marriage as a financial solution.

Supporting and strengthening local community –based organizations (CBOs) that work
towards preventing early marriage can have a significant impact. These organizations are
often well-placed to understand the specific cultural and social dynamics of Tieng’re Village.
Providing them with resources, training, and support can enhance their ability to advocate
for change and support affected families.

Another measure was to create safe and supportive school environments. Schools should
be safe havens for all students , free violence , harassment and discrimination .Establishing
policies and mechanisms to protect students , particularly girls , from abuse can encourage
them to remain in school .Training teachers to recognize and address issues related to early
marriage and gender-based violence can also help create a supportive learning
environment.

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The last measure to be placed was to raise awareness about the negative impacts of early
marriage on teenagers’ educational is crucial. Organizing community meetings, workshops
and seminars that involved parents, elders and religious leaders can help change attitudes
towards early marriage. These campaigns could highlight the benefits of education for girls
and boys, stressing how delaying marriage could lead to better health, economic
opportunities and overall well-being for individuals and the community.

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CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODLOGY
3.1 Introduction.
This chapter entails the research design to be used, the target population of the study, the
sampling design, and data collection methods, validity and reliability and data analysis.

3.2 Research design.

According to Creswell(2014), descriptive research is often the most appropriate design for
studies aiming to gather detailed information about a specific phenomenon, as it allows the
researcher to present an accurate portrayal of events as they occur. For this study, a
descriptive research design is chosen to effectively explore and document the effects of
early on the education of teenagers. This design enabled the researcher to systematically
describe the current situation regarding early marriage and their educational impacts in
Tieng’re Village, providing a clear and comprehensive understanding of the issue. By utilizing
a descriptive approach, the study aims to highlight the specific ways in which early marriage
influences educational outcomes, attendances, performance, and overall school experience
for teenagers.

3.3 Study Area.

Early marriage is global problem and is considered a high risk group, in spite of conflicting
evidence.

The study took place in Tieng’re Village and a total number of 386 teenagers are involved in
early marriage which is a large number than older people that was 3,326. The socio
economic data, age, number of early married teenagers, the sex of the teenagers was
considered.

The case of early marriage in the study was 10%. A significant proportion of teenagers who
were married early and were experiencing difficulties in their marriage.

Early marriage is associated with higher health risks for young brides. These include
complications during pregnancy and childbirth, higher maternal and infant mortality rules,
and increased vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDs.

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The outcome of this study showed that teenage pregnancy are still a common occurrence in
Tieng’re Village.

3.4 Target Population.

The study targeted a sample size of 148 respondents of which 381 were students, 75 were
teachers, and 25 were education officers.

Ways to target teens in marketing.

1. Work alongside them, not against them. As you begin working on your marketing
plan, look at your work force ,do you have someone on the team that is a teenager
and you should consider hiring one as an intern or as a part time basis these are the
people who will possess the inside scoop on what is hot and tending.
2. Pick the thigh branding poster teens.
When you are ready to start sending out your marketing campaigns you should
consider utilizing teens in your actual advertisement. This means you would want to
use a teenager as the face behind your marketing campaigns.
3. Keep up with teen and popular culture. You will not be able to engage with a
particular audience if you do not keep up with the trend that interests them the
most. You need to always keep yourself up to date with the lasts trends and popular
things and popular things to keep teenagers interested.

3.5 Sample and sampling techniques.

The researcher used a combination of purposive and stratified and sampling techniques to
effectively gather data for the study on the effects of early marriage on the education of
teenagers in Tieng’re Village. Purposive sampling was employed to select participants who
had direct experiences with early marriage. This approach ensured that the data collected
were rich and relevant to the research objectives. Additionally, stratified was applied to
ensure representation across various demographic categories such as age, gender, and
education level. By categories the population into distinct strata, the researcher aimed to
capture a diverse range of perspectives, enhancing the overall validity and reliability of the
findings.

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3.6 Data collection instrument.
3.6.1 Interview.
Most teenagers were aware of effects of early marriage. However their actual knowledge
about not involving themselves to early marriage is very limited.

For many, when discussing about their experiences in early marriage it was noticed that they
were not happy with their lives.

3.6.2 Questionnaire.
Data was collected using structured questionnaire with both open and closed questions which
the respondents ticked according to their views.

3.7 Validity and reliability.

To enhance validity, a pilot test using the questionnaires was done on 10 students, 2 teachers
and 1 education officer and it was also viewed with the help of the researcher’s supervisor on
its relevance to the topic under study. To ensure content validity, the researcher specified the
domain of indicators which are relevant to the topic under study and also used opinion of the
supervisor to determine if the content that the research instruments contain is adequate in
addressing the research questions. The researcher then used results from the pilot study to
address any deficiencies in the research instruments.

3.7.2 Reliability.
According to Mugenda and Mugenda (2003), reliability is a measure of the degree to which a
research instrument yields consistent results on data after repeated trials. A reliable
instrument is one that produces consistent results when used more than once to collect data
from the sample randomly drawn from the sample population (Mulusa 1990).

The researcher first sampled items from the domain indicators in the table of
operationalization of variables that provided a measure for the variable under study. The
researcher then administered the total test to an appropriate group, at random divided the
second items into two groups. Alternatively, one group was all the odd-numbered items
together. The researcher then computed each subjects total score from the two groups of
items for all the subjects was correlated.

22
3.8 Data Analysis.
The researcher employed descriptive data analysis to investigate the effects of early marriage
on the education of teenagers. Utilizing both questionnaires and interviews, this approach
allowed the researcher to systematically describe and interpret the data. Questionnaires
provided quantifiable data on the prevalence and educational impact of early marriage, while
interviews offered deeper, qualitative insights into individual experiences. Descriptive data
analysis was used because it enabled the researcher to effectively summarize and present the
data in clear and understandable manner, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the
studied phenomenon.

3.9 Ethical Considerations.

3.9.1 General practice issues.
In conducting research on the effects of early marriage on the education of teenagers, it is
crucial to ensure that all participants’ right dignity are respected. This includes obtaining
informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, and being sensitive to the potentially traumatic
nature of the topic. Researchers must avoid any actions that could cause psychological harm
stigmatization, particularly given the vulnerability of the teenage participants. Ethical
approval from a relevant board is necessary to uphold these standards.

3.9.2 Basic knowledge of state law.

It’s crucial to have a basic understanding of state laws regarding marriage and education.

3.9.3 Avoiding inappropriate advocacy.

It’s crucial to avoid inappropriate advocacy by maintaining a neutral stance and presenting
evidence-based findings objectives. Researchers should refrain from promoting specific
viewpoints or solutions and instead focus on providing a balanced analysis of how early
marriage impacts educational outcomes. This ensures the study remained unbiased and
credible, allowing readers to form their own conclusions based on the data presented.

23
 CHAPTER FOUR
DATA FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATION
4.0 Introduction.
This chapter discusses the interpretation and presentation of the findings. This chapter
present analysis of the data on the effects of early marriage on education of teenagers in
Tieng’re Village in Kisumu County which was collected through interviews and questionnaires.

4.1 Response Rate.

Table 1: Response Rate.

Responses Frequency Percentage

Response 420 87%
None Response 61 13%
Total 481 100%

The study targeted a sample size of 481 respondents from which 400 filled in and returned
the questionnaires making a response rate of 87%. According to Baruch (1999), he
emphasized that a response rate above 50% is considered acceptable in most organization
studies, while rate above 50% is considered acceptable in the most organizational studies,
while rate above 70% are ideal and indicate that the sample is representative of the
population being studied.

Objective one : Causes of early marriage among teenagers of Tieng’re Village

The researcher focuses on the identifying the causes of early marriage on teenagers in
Tieng’re Village. The results are illustrated in table 2 below.

Table 2: Causes of early marriage among teenagers of Tieng’re Village.

Causes Frequency Percentage

Gender inequality 20 4%
Teen pregnancy 130 27%
Poverty and marriage 200 42%

24
 Peer influence 81 17%
Lack of education 50 10%
Total N= 481 100%

From the findings shown in table 2 shows that 42% which is the largest percentage of
teenagers, due to poverty get involve in early marriage, 27% of the teenagers teen pregnancy
cause them to involve into early marriage, among teenagers, 10% of the teenagers due to lack
of education involve in early marriage.

Figure 2: Causes of early marriage among teenagers of Tieng’re Village.

Causes of Early Marriage

Gender inequality
Teen Pregnancy
Poverty and Marriage
Peer Influence
Lack of Education

From the findings from figure 2 shows that that 42% which is the largest percentage of
teenagers, due to poverty get involve in early marriage, 27% of the teenagers teen pregnancy
cause them to involve into early marriage, among teenagers, 10% of the teenagers due to lack
of education involve in early marriage.

Figure 3: Causes of early marriage among teenagers of Tiengre Village.

25
 Series 1
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%

Series 1

From the findings shown in table 3 shows that 42% which is the largest percentage of
teenagers, due to poverty get involve in early marriage, 27% of the teenagers teen
pregnancy cause them to involve into early marriage, among teenagers, 10% of the
teenagers due to lack of education involve in early marriage.

4.3. Effects of early marriage on education of Tieng’re Village.

The research focuses on identifying the effects of early marriage on teenagers in Tieng’re
Village. The results are illustrated in table 3 below.

Table 3 : Effects of early marriage on education of teenagers of Tieng’re Village.

Effects Frequency percentage

School dropout rates 230 48%
Limited Access to secondary education 20 4%
Early pregnancy disruption 100 21%
Reduced educational attainment 40 8%
Stigmatization and social isolation 91 19%
Total N= 481 100%

26
From the findings shown in table 3 shows that 48% which is the largest percentage of
teenagers drop out of school, 21% of the population get disrupted by the early pregnancy,
19% get stigmatized and social isolation and 8% reduced educational attainment.

Figure 4 : Effects of early marriage on education of teenagers of Tieng’re Village.

Effects of early marriage.

school dropout rates

Limited Access to secondary

Education
Early pregnancy disruption

Reduced educational
attainment
Stigmatization and social
isolation

From the findings shown in table 3 shows that 48% which is the largest percentage of
teenagers drop out of school, 21% of the population get disrupted by the early pregnancy,
19% get stigmatized and social isolation and 8% reduced educational attainment.

Figure 5 : Effects of early marriage on education of teenagers of Tieng’re Village.

27
 60%

50%

40%

30% Series 1
Column1
20%
Column2

10%

0%
School dropout Limited Access Early pregnancy Reduced Stigmatization
to secondary disruption education and social
education attainment isolation

From the findings shown in table 3 shows that 48% which is the largest percentage of
teenagers drop out of school, 21% of the population get disrupted by the early pregnancy,
19% get stigmatized and social isolation and 8% reduced educational attainment

28
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.0introduction
The chapter entails summary of the findings according to one objective, two objectives and
objectives three, conclusions and recommendations on.
The chapter discusses the findings on effects of early marriage
On education of teenagers in Tiengere village, Kisumu sub county.
Summary and findings
Finds reveal that early marriage significant ally disrupts educational attainment teenagers
who marry early after face increased responsibilities and social pressures which result in
higher dropout rate and diminished.
The study highlights those early marriages on teenagers’ affects education opportunities,
impacting future career percepts and perpetuating cycles of poverty.
5.1.1 The effect of early marriage on teenagers in Tiengre village.
Findings reveal the impact of early marriage on teenagers’ education by examining both short
term and long-term effects.
In the short-term early marriages often disrupts in teenagers schooling, leading to dropout
rate and reduced academic performance due to increased responsibilities and domestic
obligation.
Long-term effects include limited carrier opportunities and diminished earning potential as
early marriage can restrict further education attainment and skill development.
Overtime this educational interruption can perpetuate to, cycle of socio-economic
disadvantage, impacting not only the individual but also.
5.2. Conclusions
This qualitative study sought to identify the impact of early marriages on teenagers in
Tiengere village, from the analysis it’s clear that socio cultural factors such as traditional
gender rules and the value placed on marriages over education attainment.
This effect makes early marriages a problem in the society. Teenagers especially girls who fall
victim of teen pregnancies end up facing stigma ad discrimination
And their access to education and career development is reduced.

29
5.3 Recommendations
From the research and in view of the roles of different actors, its recommended that there
should be implementation of awareness program that targets both the youth and the wider
community in Tiengere village.
These programs should be aimed at educating community members about the negative
impact of early marriage on the educational prospects and future opportunities for teenagers
particularly young girls.
The study also recommends that there should be strengthening the enforcement of existing
law and policies that protect children from early marriage is essential.
The study recommends that there should be economic empowerment of families being that
one of the roots of early marriage is poverty to reduce financial burdens on their families and
communities.
5.1.2. Causes of early marriage among teenagers of Tiengre village
From the findings, early marriage signifying impacts the education of teenagers through laws
interacted causes.
Gender inequalities often dictate that young girls are disproportionately affected with socio
norm prioritizing their roles as wives and mothers over education.
Teen pregnancies further exhibits the situation, as young mother face additional barriers to
continuing their study include healthcare challenges and society stigma, poverty also plays a
crucial role as financial constraints can force families to practice immediate economic benefits
from marrying driven by desire to education in communities can perpetuate cycle of early
marriage and limited opportunities as both parents and children may not fully understand
the long term benefits of education.
5.1.3 Measures to curb early marriage in Tiengre village
Findings show that a multifaceted approach is necessary to curb early marriage in Tiengre
village.
Empowering the youth through education is fundamental in equipping their path to
knowledge and skills to make informed life choices. This should be complemented by
community awareness programs aimed at transforming cultural practice and educating for

30
gender equality. Legal framework protecting children must be enforced to prevent underage
marriage, while economic behind early marriages brutally involving men and boys in this
effort is essential for foreseeing a community wide commitment to ending early marriage and
supporting the wellbeing of all teenagers.

31
APPENDICIES
APPENDICIES 1: LETTER OF INTRODUCTION TO THE RESPONDENT.
FAITH CHRISTINE AKEYO
P.O BOX 143-40100
KISUMU

Dear Sir/Madam

RE: AN INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECTS OF EARLY MARRIAGE ON EDUCATION OF

TEENAGERS IN TIENG’RE VILLAGE, KISUMU WEST SUB-COUNTY.
I am a diploma student in social work and community development at the Kisumu National
Polytechnic. Am carrying out research on effect of early marriage on education of teenagers
in Tiengre village.
I wish to request your permission to participate in a study that will form of my diploma work.
The study will involve requesting you to ensure some questions from a structured
questionnaire. This will be recorded and analyses for research purposes only.
Your identity and all the information given in this study will be kept confidentially throughout
the study and decimation.
Your participation in the study is purely voluntary, there is no monitory, gain and you may
withdraw from the study at any stage, without penalty, kindly respond to questions with
sincerity.
Thank you in advanced for your assistance.

Yours faithfully

Faith Christine Akeyo

32
APPENDIX 11: QUESTIONAIRE
Instruction
1. Do not write your name
2. Please move all questions honestly and to the best of your knowledge
3. If you are not comfortable answering a question you may skip and ask if you don’t
understand something
4. There is no right or wrong answers.
5. Your responses will be kept confidential.

SECTION A: DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

1. Gender
Male Female Prefer not say
2. Age
.. 13-15 year
.. 16-18 year
.. 19-21 year
.. Above 21 years.
3. Marital status
.. Single
.. Married
.. Divorced
.. Widowed
4. Educational level
.. Primary school incomplete
.. primary school complete
.. Secondary school incomplete
.. Secondary school complete
.. college/university
.. No formal study
33
5. Do you have children
.. YES. NO

SECTION B: QUESTIONNAIRE
1. What is your current education status
. Currently attending school
. Dropped out of school
. Never attended school
. Complicated secondary school
2. To what extent do you think early marriage affects teenagers’ education in your
community?
.. Not at all
.. To a small extent
.. To a moderate extent
3. Do you think early marriage affects the educational opportunities for teenagers
.. Yes
.. No
.. Not sure.
4. In your opinion, what are the main reasons for early marriage in Tiengre village (Tick all
that apply)
.. Poverty
.. Luck of education
.. Peer influence
.. Other(specify)
5. How supportive were your parents\guardians regarding your education before marriage?
.. Very supportive
.. Supportive
.. Neutral
.. Unsupportive
6. What challenges do you think marked teenager face I accessing education (tick all that
apply)
.. socio stigma

34
 .. financial constraints
Other (please specify)
7. What suggestions do you have for supporting the education of teenager affected by early
marriage.
8. Would you support initiative aimed at reducing early marriage and promoting education
for teenagers.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION

35
APPENDIX 111: INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
1. Can you share your experience with early marriage and its impact on your education?
2. What were the circumstances that led to your earl marriage?
3. How did early marriage change your education goal or aspirations?
4. What support systems were available to you when you got married?
5. What are the challenges you faced in trying to continue your education after marriage?
6. What kind of support do you think would help teenagers in your situation to continue
with education?
7. How do you think the community perceives early marriage and the impact on education?
8. What role do you think local leader and schools can play in addressing the issue of early
Marriage?

36
REFERENCES

Boonstra, H.D.(2015). The Role of young people in preventing Child Marriage. Guttmacher
Institute. Retrieve from guttmacher.org.
Cherubini. Et.al.(2010) :Teen pregnancy has a strong link to school exit for young girls.
Chowdhury, M. (2019). Child Marriage and Education. The role of Community Perceptions in
Bangladesh. International Journal of Education Development,69,45-52.
Creswell (2014) ;descriptive research is often the most appropriate design for studies.
Erulkar, A.S.,& Muthengi, E. (2009). Evaluation of Berhane Hewan: A Program to Delay Child
Marriage in Rural Ethiopia International center for Research on Women. Retrieved from
icrw.org.
Mastrorillo, M., et al.(2013). The impact of Child Marriage in Africa. Emerging infectious
Diseases, 12 (11), 1644 -1649.
Mugenda, 0. M. & Mugenda, A:, Reseaerch Methods : Quantitative and Qualitative Methods.
C. African Centre for Technology Studies (1999). Nairobi.
UNICEF. (2021). Child Marriage. A Global perspective. Retrieved from unicef.org.
World Bank. (2018). The Economic costs of child marriage :A Review of the Evidence. Review
of the Evidence. Retrieved from worldbank. Org.

37