Determinants of the Suffering Degree of Rural Women from Family Problems in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate

Abstract

This study aimed at identifying family problems that rural women at Kafr El-Sheikh governorate suffering from, and identify the correlates and determinants that affect these problems.. A composite index consistes of 15 family problems was theoritically constructed and statistically tested. Thirteen independent variables were hypothesized to affect the composite index. A questionnaire form was designed. A systematic random sample of 375 rural wives who were married,has at least one child, and her husband still alive selected from 3 villages from three districts. Social survey method was used with personal interview. Describtive statistics, alpha coefficient, simple correlations, stepwise multiple linear regression (Forward solution) were used for data analysis .The findings reveled that: 1) rural women were sufferred from all the fifteen family problems in varying degrees, 2) the mode of the suffering degrees of rural women index fell into the middle category of suffering,3) the majority of rural women had suffered from the following five problems:female marriage at an early age, intervening the relatives into the affaires of the new marital family, husband's recklessness and abuse of his wife for almost no reasons, Wife's work in all farm activities, and Inferiority perception of males toward females birth. 4) the determinants of the degree of suffering from social problems were: family cohesion, adherence to traditional values , wives' time devoted to home affires, and the availability of family emotional support. The results were discussed and suggested the need to integrate rural women in rural development processes and activities to alleviate such problems.