Democratisation of social relations at the household level: The participation of children and youth in Tanzania

Abstract

This chapter discusses the socialization process of children and youth in Tanzania in the contemporary era. It also discusses the place of children and youth in the current global democratic processes, especially at the household level in Tanzania, while charting out future strategies. Tanzania-based discussions of democracy have tended to concentrate on public-level gendered political issues despite the fact that the democratic process must start from the level of the household where both patriarchy and age seniority influence social relations. Democracy is both a concept and an instrument for bringing about social equality and hence is linked to both basic human rights and to decision-making and governance. Democracy at the household level is made even more complex by the influence of the interpersonal dynamics of family members. There is a general assumption that male adults contribute more goods and services to the household's welfare, and that they ought thus to dominate decision-making.