The ‘Mishangazi’ Phenomenon in Tanzania: Restoring Sexual Sanctity and the Dignity of Labor in the Tanzanian Modern Youth Generation

This paper examines the ‘Mishangazi’ phenomenon and suggests sex education, economic empowerment and restoration of the spirit of work among the youth. The goal is to restore sexual sanctity and the dignity of labor among the youth. This study used a qualitative research approach and a phenomenological research design in order to capture the lived experiences, motivations, and moral perceptions of the participants. This study was guided by Social Exchange Theory (SET) by Homans G (1858-1958); Weber’s Protestant Work Ethics Theory by Max Weber (1904-1905) and Virtue Ethics Theory by Aristotle (340 BCE). This study targeted young men (aged 18–35) actively or previously involved with Mishangazi; older women (Mishangazi) willing to participate; general youth; key informants (parents, Religious leaders, traditional elders, and social workers). The study relies on qualitative approach and the sample size was guided by the principle of data saturation, occurring when additional interviews yield repetitive information (Saunders et al., 2018). This study involved (35) participants. The study identified three key challenges facing youth: social and economic pressures, (unemployment, the desire for financial stability, peer influence and pedagogical failure); the decline of the dignity of labor; the commodification of intimacy and the crisis of human dignity. The study concludes by suggesting the restoration of sexual sanctity and the dignity of labor among the youth. The research calls on the government, along with education stakeholders, to incorporate comprehensive sex education into the Tanzanian education curriculum. To educate the youth regarding responsibility and solidarity in labor (work ethics). The government should remove an economic hardship. This is in believe that, moral restoration must go hand-in-hand with job creation. Keywords: Mishangazi: Dignity of labour; Sexual Sanctity; Modern Youth Generation