Personal and Structural Factors Influencing Peoples’ Attitudes toward Interethnic Marriages: A Study in Nekemte Town, Eastern Wollega Zone

Tola, Ameyu (2011) Personal and Structural Factors Influencing Peoples’ Attitudes toward Interethnic Marriages: A Study in Nekemte Town, Eastern Wollega Zone. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

This study was intended to explore and examine the personal and structural factors that influence peoples’ attitudes toward ethnic intermarriage. To this end, relevant literature has been reviewed to shade light on the issue under study. Intermarriage is said to have a significant lessening of 'social distance' between groups and enabling unions between them. This study primarily employs a quantitative research method, particularly survey questionnaire, in order to obtain the data needed for the study. Samples of 500 people are selected using a simple random sampling technique for this study. In addition to the survey research, qualitative method (Case Study) has also been employed to substantiate the data obtained by quantitative method. Both personal and structural level factors have been examined in order to see their impact on peoples’ attitudes toward interethnic marriage. Different statistical methods such as one-way ANOVA, t-test, correlation and regression have been used to test the effects of the independent variables (the factors) on the dependent variable (attitude towards interethnic marriage). At personal level, variables such as age, gender, educational level, religiosity and sameness of parents’ ethnicity have been tested. While individuals’ age, level of religiosity, educational level and sameness of parents’ ethnicity have significantly influenced their attitudes toward ethnic intermarriage, there is no significant gender difference on attitudes toward ethnic intermarriage. Moreover, structural level factors like heterogeneity/homogeneity of the social environment, ethnic identity salience and an individual’s social networks have significantly influenced attitudes toward ethnic intermarriage. Finally, the Case Study analysis revealed that inter-ethnically married couples did not view their marriage as something different from intra-ethnic marriages. Moreover, although they face challenges from relatives and neighbors they indicated that they have resources to cope with the challenges.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Uncontrolled Keywords: interethnic marriage, ethnic identity salience, social distance, prior interethnic contact
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Divisions: Africana
Depositing User: Selom Ghislain
Date Deposited: 15 Aug 2018 12:37
Last Modified: 15 Aug 2018 12:37
URI: http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/4742

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