Cultural Pedogamy: Towards an Eco-Cultural Theory of Early (Child) Marriage

Early marriage, particularly (early) girl-child is prevalent in many indigenous ethnic and cultural communities around the world Cameroon. In spite of this, despite fact that studies have continued to be carried out on phenomenon elicit its causes effects individuals practicing communities, no study has attempted develop a psychological theory practice based itself. Most theories informed early marriage practices either been mainstream theories; only one Africentric so far, namely social ontogenetic development, made contribution explaining from an African point view. The pedogamy developed findings titled “Early marriage: An exploration psychosocial effect four Cameroon.” sampled included Mbororo-Fulani Sabga Ndawara, Moghamo community, Nwe Mundani, Lower Mboh. This utilized sequential exploratory design data were collected using questionnaires, key informant interviews, focused group discussions. Data interviews analyzed process thematic analysis with support Atlas.ti version 5.2 software (Atlas Ti GMBH 2006). Findings revealed deeply rooted beliefs, norms, values, perceptions expectations as well socio-economic conditions psychosocial, educational limitations girl-child. Quantitative 36 respondents sub-sample child-wives former child-wives, 44.4% forced marriages; 52.8% completely dependent their husbands financially materially; none them was legally registered marriage; 88.6% did not know legal age for Cameroon; 85.7% said treat equals; 63.3% reported they lacked decision-making rights marital homes; 94.1% had school but all currently dropouts schooling while 74.2% ended before 15 years; 85.6% illiterate expressed willingness return if given opportunity. Furthermore, significant this sample perceived violation human above 90.0% indicated happiness fulfillment marriages. argues results largely several endo-ethnic-cultural factors which include cognitive (cultural belief systems, norms culture-determined perceptions), sociocultural (socio-cultural expectations, traditional/cultural institutions). These through causal sequence. interaction between non-cognitive determines strength endurance over time.