Potential link between female school drop outs, marriage, says sociologist

AMMAN — Nearly 11 per cent of females married in 2021 were under the age of 18, with many dropping out of school as a result, according to a sociologist. 

The prevalence of such early marriages, as well as various other social, economic and cultural factors, means more women tend to drop out of school than men. 

Ahmad Mas’feh, Ministry of Education’s spokesperson, revealed that four out of every 1,000 female students drop out — a rate 33 per cent higher than their male counterparts. 

Despite the inequality, Mas’feh noted that the overall school dropout rate in Jordan is low when compared with many countries. It cannot, he said, be called a “phenomenon”. 

He added that since total enrollment in formal education is very high for both men and women, the difference of dropout rates between males and females does not constitute a major concern. 

However, Sociologist Hussein Khuzai told The Jordan Times that in 2021, almost 8,037 girls under the age of 18 got married, and most decided not to continue their education as a result of getting married. 

“Almost 11 per cent of the marriages that occurred in 2021 led to women dropping out of school,” Khuzai added. 

Early marriage is the primary cause of school dropouts for female students, Khuzai continued, while a lack of parental support and guidance are also factors. 

“Poverty and a high unemployment rate among female graduates are also underlying reasons for female school dropouts,” Khuzai added, noting that 78 per cent of female graduates are not employed. 

Meanwhile, Psychologist Mousa Materneh noted the influence of certain discriminatory values held by a small proportion of society. 

Some families “still believe that a women’s education is useless”, Matarneh told The Jordan Times.

However, he added that a family’s economic status may also influence decisions not to send women and girls to school.  

“The government really ought to conduct a study to help point out the underlying causes that drive women to drop out of school,” Matarneh added. 

“Women in our society continue to suffer from discrimination,” Matarneh stated, noting that many women also fall victim to family disintegration, which may cause some to drop out of school. 

Matarneh highlighted the urgent need for awareness campaigns to inform young women about the importance of education, describing education as “a safety net for women’s future”. 

“Education is a right guaranteed by the Constitution and international conventions,” Matarneh added. 

Matarneh stressed the importance of upholding the laws guaranteeing education for women, while guardians denying such rights should be punished.