Literal question
8. What is [name]'s marital status?
[ ] 1 Married (monogamous)
[ ] 2 married (polygamous)
[ ] 3 Informal union
[ ] 4 divorced (go to q12)
[ ] 5 separated (go to q12)
[ ] 6 Widowed (go to q12)
[ ] 7 Never married (go to q12)
[If response is 4-7, go to question 12]
Interviewer instructions
Question 8: present marital status refers to the respondent's marital status on the day of interview.
Definition of marital status
1- Married (monogamy) includes all types of marriages e.g. civil, traditional and common law to only one woman. It is also a state of having only one sexual partner at any one time. The word monogamy comes from the Greek word called Mono which means one or alone and the Greek word Gamos which means marriage or union.
2 - Married (polygamy) includes all types of marriages e.g. civil, traditional and common law to more than one woman. It is also defined as having more than one wife or husband at the same time, usually a man with several wives.
3 - Informal/loose union refers to a relationship contracted by two adults living together without civil or traditional recognition. Such people may report that they are married, so probe carefully and sensitively to find out the actual marriage contract.
4 - Divorce: When a marriage is legally dissolved
5 - Separation: Living apart without legal backing
6 - Widowed: A situation where one of the couple is dead.
7 - Never married: A situation where the respondent is single and has never been married before.
