Young Men's Livelihoods in “Waiting”

Navigating Youth Transitions amidst the Commodity Cycle of Natural Gas in Mtwara, Tanzania

in Boyhood Studies
Author:
Genevieve J. Sekumbo Researcher, The Graduate Institute of Geneva, Switzerland

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3167/bhs.2024.170105
Keywords:
livelihoods; masculinity; natural gas; Tanzania; youth transitions
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Abstract

This article examines how the commodity cycle of natural gas alters the aspirations of youth working in the informal sector. Focusing on the gas industry in Mtwara, Tanzania, this article explores how the development of the industry influences the work aspirations of young men seeking financial independence. Drawing from ethnographic research, participant observation, and interviews with young men between 2020 and 2022, I demonstrate how working as motorcycle taxi drivers during the “gas rush” availed young men a newfound respectability linked to their upward socioeconomic mobility, a key marker in their transition to adulthood. As one of the more accessible and lucrative livelihoods, this article demonstrates how becoming a motorcycle driver acted as a transient conduit in their dual transitions from school to work and transitions from young men to adults.

Contributor Notes

Genevieve J. Sekumbo is a PhD candidate in anthropology and sociology at The Graduate Institute of Geneva. She holds a master's degree in development studies from the University of Cape Town and a bachelor's degree in international relations from the University of Pretoria. Before commencing her PhD, Genevieve worked in the NGO sector in Tanzania, focusing on themes related to civic engagement and governance, social protection, livelihoods enhancement, financial literacy and inclusion, and digital inclusion. Her ongoing PhD research explores the protracted growth of offshore gas extraction and its impact on youth—examining how it shapes their futures, aspirations, livelihoods, and transitions to adulthood.

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Boyhood Studies

An Interdisciplinary Journal

Cover Boyhood Studies
Article Category:
Research Article
Page Count:
20
Keywords:
livelihoods; masculinity; natural gas; Tanzania; youth transitions
Print Publication Date:
01 Jun 2024
Online Publication Date:
01 Jun 2024
Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024

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