Marriage and childbirth as factors in school exit

An analysis of DHS data from sub-Saharan Africa

By: Lloyd CB & Mensch BS
Published by: Population Council, November 2006
Via: Siyanda

How significant are marriage and childbirth as determinants of school-leaving in sub-Saharan Africa? What other common underlying factors contribute to premature school-leaving and early marriage and childbearing? This research shows that the risk of leaving school during adolescence for reasons other than childbirth or marriage far exceed the risks associated with these two events. The risk of leaving school early due to childbirth or marriage is also declining over time. Instead, delayed ages of school starting - a factor associated with being behind grade for age - could be a factor predisposing girls to a greater likelihood of both leaving school early and early marriage and childbearing. These findings have important policy implications. Early marriage rather than early childbirth is more likely to limit girls' educational horizons, at least in the case of francophone Africa. Reproductive health service providers should see early marriage as a central area of concern for adolescent reproductive health. Its research data shows that "schoolgirl pregnancy" rarely accounts for more than a relatively small percent of girls who leave school. Policies that inform parents about the value of starting their children in school on time are likely to have beneficial effects both for grade attainment and for adolescent reproductive health regardless of school quality. (http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/wp/219.pdf)