Authors: Selina Krisostom Uhega (University of Iringa, Tanzania), Dorothy Lubawa, PhD (University of Iringa, Tanzania) and Mariana Mhewa, PhD (Mkwawa University College of Education)
Abstract: This study was done in order to establish motives and consequences of premarital cohabitation practices among university students in Iringa Municipality through qualitative research approach and phenomenological research design. Snowball and purposive sampling were used to obtain a representative sample of 36 students, 3 deans of students, 3 wardens, and 4 ministers of residences. The obtained data was subjected to thematic analysis and presented in quotes of respondents’ voices. The findings indicate that university students do cohabit to meet accommodation demands, not lose sexual lovers, exercise freedoms and acquire status from their peers, satisfy sexual urges and secure financial collaboration from partners. Furthermore, cohabitation leads students to encounter unplanned pregnancies, engage in abortions, attain poor academic performance, acquire sexual transmitted diseases, be subjected to physical and sexual abuse, emotional neglect and psychological disturbances. Therefore, it is recommended that students should not cohabit because the practice is associated with negative effects that may hinders life goals and expectations.