POST-COLONIAL FAMILY IN

ZIMBABWE
Family Arrangement

In Zimbabwe, family traditionally refers to an expansive kinship network. There are 2 most
common family arrangements in Bolivia – extended and nuclear. Extended families are more common in
rural areas and play a large role in raising & caring for children while nuclear families are usually seen in
urban areas.

Gender Roles

Zimbabwean society is generally very patriarchal.

MEN
 Generally hold more decision-making
power
 Breadwinner for the entire household
 Commanding of the public sphere and
political leadership
WOMEN
 Expected to be obedient to their husband
and not to disagree or challenge his views
 May have authority over family members
except for his husband
 Engage in labor and farming required in
day-to-day operation
 Traditional economic activities: gardening,
raising poultry and baking
 Infant care, Child rearing & Education

However due to modernization, both men and women are compromising their parental roles by
not according enough time to their families, following their pursuits.

Divorce

Divorce is generally rare in Zimbabwe as it is highly stigmatized. Being a predominantly Christian

nation, marriage is regarded as a sacred union, and to break it can be interpreted as a sin. In customary
marriages, all property rights after divorce belong to the man and disposition & guardianship of children
are determined by male relatives of the husband while women may retain property that is traditionally
associated with their domestic role such as kitchen utensils. In civil marriages ended by divorce, wives
have the right to a share of the husband’s estate although it is difficult for a woman to claim rights to
property in the face of family opposition.

LGBT RIGHTS

Zimbabwe’s 2013 constitution prohibits same-sex marriage but is silent on gay relations.
And according to the Mnangagwa, president of Zimbabwe, homosexuality is banned under the
country’s constitution. Laws criminalizing homosexuality in Zimbabwe carry penalties of up to
three years in jail.
POST-COLONIAL FAMILY IN
ZIMBABWE