RUAHA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

This article uses the discrimination theoretical perspective and qualitative research approach to examine the challenges facing childless couples and couples without male children at Block T in Mbeya City Tanzania and their perceptions about those challenges. Unstructured Interviews were conducted to twelve research participants (six childless and six without male children) selected randomly among Christians of some denominations present at Mbeya City to ascertain their perceptions and experiences on childlessness and the lack of male children. Results indicated that issues of childlessness and preference for the male child at Block T in Mbeya City are shrouded in stigmatization and discrimination of childless couples and those without male children in various areas: decision-making, religious freedom, betrayal by spousesand conflicts between couples. The study suggests that churches should play key roles to educate marrying couples about the purpose of God for marriage to mitigate discriminatory challenges facing couples and children in Christian marital relationships.

Childlessness, Male Child, Christian Married Couples, God‟s Purpose for Marriage and Discriminatory Challenges.