Family Background and Early Life Course Transitions in Kinshasa

The impact of family background characteristics on young womens transitions to adult life roles was investigated in a household survey of 2400 women 13-49 years of age from Kinshasa Zaire. Of specific interest were three events: initiation of sexual activity entry into a first union and timing of the first birth. By age 20 years 90% of respondents had experienced first intercourse; by age 22 years 80% had entered a first union and 70% had had a first birth. Most striking was the impact of parental educational attainment both directly and indirectly through its association with daughters school enrollment likelihood. Paternal education beyond the primary level exerted a significant effect on delaying the age at first marriage while maternal education had a greater impact on age at first birth. When both parents were deceased by the time the female child was 15 years old sexual activity commenced at an earlier age and first union was postponed. Those from small families proceeded to motherhood at a relatively slower pace than those with four or more siblings. Residence in a small urban center was more predictive of delays in the pace of entry into unions than residence in a major city. School enrollment on the part of the female child significantly delayed all three events under review.