The Social and Spiritual Challenges Of Premarital Pregnancies in Rural Parishes: A Case Study in Usseri Parish, Moshi-Tanzania

Abstract

This study examines the social and spiritual challenges of premarital pregnancies in rural parishes, with specific reference to Usseri Parish, which is in the rural areas of Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania. The study was pressed by the fact that there are some mothers who take their babies to the church for baptism, and when they are asked to name the fathers of their babies, some reply, Hana baba (to mean that the baby has no father). According to the language of Usseri, this expression can also mean that the mother is not married. What then does this imply? The reality of a child without the father is an implication of a child outside marriage, or Mwana wa rikoni in the language of Usseri. This testifies that premarital sex is a reality in the society, which leads to premarital pregnancy, which results into Mwana wa rikoni, and this brings the hesitation of revealing the father. As a matter of fact, the father of the baby is not completely unknown. He may be known by the mother alone, but she hesitates or becomes afraid to disclose him. This hesitation is an indication that there are some challenges associated with premarital pregnancies. This reality is increasing day by day in many places, including in the rural areas like Usseri. Thus, the aim of the study is to find out if the people of Usseri are aware of premarital pregnancy as a social and spiritual challenge. We will do so by examining the causes and effects, and find out if there has been any effort to address this issue. We will also look at mass communication and values in relation to this matter, the teachings of the church, and finally we will offer some suggestions for future pastoral plans. To achieve the intended goal, the research will include interviews, observation and questionnaires as a primary approach, and library sources as our secondary methods. The data collected will be analysed and interpreted with the use of descriptive statistics and qualitative methods.