Patriarchal gatekeepers and scholarship pipelines
Why Zambian students choose China over the UK
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32674/4v4sc179Keywords:
student mobility, patriarchal mediation, scholarship pipelines, Zambia,, China-UK destination choiceAbstract
International study is a critical but unequal pathway for Zambian youth, with a growing preference for China over traditional destinations such as the UK. This mixed-methods study investigates the factors underlying this destination choice and proposes the concept of “patriarchal mediation” as a contextual layer in household decision-making. Data from 111 Zambians aged 18–45 were collected via an online survey with open-ended questions. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that having a father’s education (OR = 1.42, p = .005) and having a lower family income (OR = 0.76, p = .017) were the strongest predictors of preferring China over the UK, whereas having a mother's education was not significant. Urban residence also reduced the odds of preferring China. Thematic analysis highlighted scholarships as a primary driver and suggested fathers' role as gatekeepers in the decision process. The findings challenge the context-neutral application of standard push‒pull models and point to the household as a critical site where global educational inequalities are reproduced in high-poverty, patriarchal contexts. Recommendations for equity-focused interventions that address intrahousehold dynamics are discussed.
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