The Consequences of Forcing Pregnant Girls Out of School: a Study Focused on Tanzania

Hagues, Rachel; McCarty, Sara Helms

doi:10.1007/s41134-021-00186-w

Published: 14 January 2022

The Consequences of Forcing Pregnant Girls Out of School: a Study Focused on Tanzania

Journal of Human Rights and Social Work volume 7, pages 23–35 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

Tanzania’s policy toward pregnant schoolgirls has been to expel them from public school and not permit them to return. Yet, research shows that when women and girls pursue an education, they have better life outcomes. Herein, we seek to examine the relationship between delaying pregnancy and educational attainment, employment, and select wealth indicators utilizing data from Tanzania’s Demographic and Health Survey. Findings indicate that young women who complete an education do indeed have better economic outcomes and enhanced well-being. The link between pregnancy and educational attainment has implications for delaying childbirth. Findings related to education and age at first birth have ramifications for policies and programs that get young women back in school even if they have given birth.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Kandauda KAS “Wickrama” for his helpful comments early on in the analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

Department of Social Work, Samford University, Birmingham, USA
Rachel Hagues
Department of Economics, Finance, and Quantitative Analysis, Samford University, Birmingham, USA
Sara Helms McCarty

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Rachel Hagues
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Sara Helms McCarty
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Correspondence to Rachel Hagues.

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Hagues, R., McCarty, S.H. The Consequences of Forcing Pregnant Girls Out of School: a Study Focused on Tanzania. J. Hum. Rights Soc. Work 7, 23–35 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-021-00186-w

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Accepted: 05 July 2021
Published: 14 January 2022
Issue Date: March 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-021-00186-w

Keywords

Delayed pregnancy
Education
Tanzania
Economic outcomes
Females
Unintended consequences