Dynamics in Family Patterns in Tanzania: The Case of Kijitonyama Ward, Kinondoni District, Dar Es Salaam Region, Tanzania

The family as an imperative social institution is currently undergoing different changes in the world. This paper examined the changing patterns of family in Tanzania in terms of ideas and practice. This study employed qualitative research approach and comparative research design. Patterns which were pulled out for comparisons include; family type, mate selection, authority patterns, forms of marriage, fertility pattern, single parent family, marriage without children, cohabitation and homosexuality. The results of this study revealed that there are mixed pre-dispositions and intricacies with regard to the transformation of family patterns in the Tanzania. First, the empirical data portrayed that many family patterns have been eroded by globalization and that Tanzanian families can hardly extricate themselves from the fast shifting world. Second, the findings showed that despite the rapid changes observed in the family patterns, not everything has been adopted by the Tanzanian families. This is because some of the global forces were perceived as threats to Tanzanian norms and values. This study recommends that since social changes are ongoing and inevitable in the globalizing world, more studies have to be conducted to understand to what extent the families respond to these changes across ethnic groups found in Tanzania and elsewhere. Keywords; family, family patterns, culture, change and globalization