Social perspectives on the relationship between early marriage, fertility and infertility in Tamboul town, Central Sudan

Abstract

The study aims to explain some of the socio-cultural perspectives held by the people of Tamboul on the relationship between the practice of early marriage, which is a common practice, fertility and infertility. On one hand, many Tambouli people perceive early marriage as characteristically indicative of fertility on the one hand where marrying a young wife gives a husband, and parents or extended family, the woman's in-laws, an advantage to have many children. On the other hand, the practice of early marriage is perceived to be as a causal attribution to infertility which partially pertains to consequences such as obstructed labour, physical and psychological traumas incurred by early marriage as reflected in the articulated voices and experiences of the Tambouli people. These voices include the voices of women, married and unmarried; unwed girls; of married men, and professionals such as midwives. Some voices strongly encourage the practice of early marriage as this practice is positively and culturally valued by people, while other voices express the negative consequences of early marriage on young girls.