Presenter Status
Dr. Lillian Pazvakawambwa, Department of Statistics and Population Studies
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Session
B
Location
Chan Shun 108
Start Date
18-5-2017 2:20 PM
End Date
18-5-2017 2:40 PM
Presentation Abstract
Marital disruption has attracted wide attention among researchers. In recent years, the world has experienced reductions in marriage rates, along with significant increases in cohabiting unions, divorce and separation, leading to rising conjugal and family instability. While some have seen this as a sign of social and moral disruption with a potential to shatter the family institution and the foundations of society itself, others have embraced these trends as signaling increased individual liberty and the loosening of suffocating social mores. There is limited research on the factors influencing marital disruption in Namibia. This paper used the Namibia Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2013 data to establish patterns, trends and determinants of marital disruption among women, using generalized linear models. Results indicated that marital disruption is influenced by region, socio-economic status, employment status and birth cohort. Policy efforts should encourage one lifetime partner in marital relations. Information and education on the negative effects of divorce and separation should be targeted towards the younger generation, richer women, employed women and those from vulnerable regions.
Biographical Sketch
Lillian Pazvakawambwa is a senior lecturer in the Department of Statistics and Population Studies at the University of Namibia.
A Generalized Linear Model for Marital Disruption in Namibia
Chan Shun 108
Marital disruption has attracted wide attention among researchers. In recent years, the world has experienced reductions in marriage rates, along with significant increases in cohabiting unions, divorce and separation, leading to rising conjugal and family instability. While some have seen this as a sign of social and moral disruption with a potential to shatter the family institution and the foundations of society itself, others have embraced these trends as signaling increased individual liberty and the loosening of suffocating social mores. There is limited research on the factors influencing marital disruption in Namibia. This paper used the Namibia Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2013 data to establish patterns, trends and determinants of marital disruption among women, using generalized linear models. Results indicated that marital disruption is influenced by region, socio-economic status, employment status and birth cohort. Policy efforts should encourage one lifetime partner in marital relations. Information and education on the negative effects of divorce and separation should be targeted towards the younger generation, richer women, employed women and those from vulnerable regions.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge funding from the University of Namibia, Department of Statistics and Population Studies and www.measure.dhs for permission to access DHS data.