The Impact of Socio-Cultural Factors on Mothers' Economic Empowerment and Children's Educataion: A Case Study of Otjiwarongo District, Namibia

This Study examines the influence of socio-cultural factors on mothers' economic empowerment (MEE) and children's educational outcomes in the Otjiwarongo District of Namibia. Drawing on a mixed-methods study of 159 mothers, complemented by semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, the research reveals that socio-cultural norms function as structural moderators of economic empowerment, with single mothers bearing a disproportionate burden. While quantitative findings demonstrate a significant positive correlation between MEE and children's grade progression (ρ = 0.32, p = 0.002), qualitative analysis illuminates how cultural expectations, gender roles, and community norms alternately enable or constrain mothers' economic participation and, consequently, their children's educational advancement. The article contributes empirical evidence from an under-researched context and argues that addressing educational outcomes requires confronting the socio-cultural barriers that perpetuate maternal economic disempowerment.

Mothers' economic empowerment, socio-cultural factors, children's education

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