THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE, EVOLVING CULTURAL NORMS, AND DIVORCE TRENDS IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the study Marriage, as a social institution, holds a universal place across various cultures and societies. It is widely regarded as essential to the formation of familial units, which constitute the cornerstone of human civilization. As articulated by Omoniyi-Oyafunke, Falola, and Salau (2018), marriage legitimizes intimate relationships and procreation, particularly by affirming the status of offspring within societal frameworks. In addition to this social function, marriage also contributes significantly to individuals' physical and emotional well-being. These benefits stem from the economic support marriage offers, the social networks enabled through spousal ties, and the behavioral regulation that results from the interpersonal obligations within a marital union. However, the extent of these benefits varies, influenced by the characteristics and compatibility of each partner. Over recent decades, evolving global trends have reshaped the institution of marriage, bringing about increased instability. Musau, Kisovi, and Otor (2015), drawing on Scott’s perspective, highlight that while marriage is fundamentally a sacred, lifelong covenant between a man and a woman—geared toward companionship and procreation—modern realities have increasingly challenged this ideal. Intimacy often assumes greater importance than reproduction in sustaining marital bonds. Nevertheless, the rising incidence of divorce has raised concerns about the durability and sanctity of marriage. Dominion observed that current dynamics reflect significant transformations in marital expectations and values. One of the most notable shifts is the growing fragility of marriages, attributable to changing cultural norms. As Arinze (2016) notes, culture is socially transmitted—passed from parents to children, embedded in community practices, and disseminated through media such as television and the internet. Parental influence plays a key role in shaping children's perspectives on marriage and divorce, though these views may also evolve through personal observation and societal interaction. Ethnic backgrounds and socio-cultural beliefs further influence marital outcomes, with studies like Maciver and Dimkpa (2017) documenting increasing marital instability across African societies. Rising divorce rates—often linked to past legal and cultural institutions—remain entrenched, even when those initial frameworks are altered. The repercussions are profound: children exposed to marital discord often carry its effects into adulthood, manifesting in relational, cognitive, and emotional challenges (Ezeh, 2019). Adults, too, may suffer stigmatization in cultures where divorce is frowned upon. These developments necessitate scholarly inquiry into how cultural transformation intersects with marital stability and dissolution. 1.2 Statement of the problem In contemporary society, there has been a noticeable increase in the instability of marriages across many cultural contexts. This trend has prompted sociologists and scholars to explore the intricate connection between conventional societal norms and the significant transformations brought about by modernization, particularly in regards to attitudes towards marriage and divorce. According to Animasahun and Fatile (2018), divorce was commonly regarded as a generally undesirable phenomenon in various civilizations prior to the process of modernisation. Cultures that prioritise collective identity, such as Nigeria, commonly view divorce as a manifestation of society obligations not being fulfilled, stemming from perceived personal inadequacies or weaknesses exhibited by one or both partners. The pair is often subject to social disapproval and occasional attribution of blame by both their family and society, who perceive them as lacking sufficient effort or exhibiting qualities of being "inadequate" or "self-centered" partners. However, according to Barikisu (2017), societal guilt tends to be directed at the spouse who is traditionally assigned the responsibility of sustaining the household. Consequently, those who align themselves with these cultural norms encounter significant societal pressures to refrain from engaging in divorce. Individuals are instructed that the fulfilment of one's matrimonial obligations necessitates the willingness to make personal sacrifices. According to Udobong (2016), societies that place a higher value on individualism acknowledge that divorce can arise from personal incompatibility and "irreconcilable differences." While it is well acknowledged that compromise plays a crucial role in fostering a prosperous marital relationship, it is not anticipated for spouses to undertake substantial personal sacrifices in situations when the compatibility between partners is lacking. Despite the diminished significance of social blame in divorce, the primary factor often revolves around the couples' shared deficiency in foresight and insight. The couple's lack of preparedness and insufficient understanding of themselves and each other hindered their ability to comprehend the unique expectations placed upon them. The dissolution of marriage and the disintegration of familial and marital bonds have significant demographic, social, and economic implications for individuals, therefore necessitating a comprehensive examination of this topic. Duke-Natrebo (2020) highlighted the significance of investigating the phenomena of marital instability and divorce in Nigeria. However, existing scholarly works have exhibited a scarcity of material pertaining to the impact of cultural transformations on the institution of marriage and the rate of divorce. It is against this background that this study was conducted to investigate The Institution of Marriage, Evolving Cultural Norms, and Divorce Trends in Southern Nigeria in obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State 1.3 Objective of the study The broad objective of this study is focused on The Institution of Marriage, Evolving Cultural Norms, and Divorce Trends in Southern Nigeria in obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State. In other to achieve it, the study set specific objectives which seeks to: i. Investigate the level of divorce in Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State ii. Examine the factors associated with divorce Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State. iii. Determine the cultural factors binding marriage institution which curtailed divorce rate in obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State. iv. Find out if cultural changes poses significant effect on divorce rate in obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State. 1.4 Research Questions i. What is the level of marriage instability in Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State? ii. What are the factors associated with divorce Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State? iii. What are the cultural factors binding marriage institution which curtailed divorce rate prior to modernization obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State? iv. Does cultural changes has significant effect on divorce rate in obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State? 1.5 Research hypotheses Ho1: The level of divorce in Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State is low Ho2: Cultural changes has no significant effect on divorce rate in obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State 1.6 Significance of the Study Marriage institution under the pressure of modernity has expunged its cherished values. While behaviours are formed and individuals are shaped through their cultural values exemplified and instilled by parents, the impact of modernity has made the task of staying married daunting. Findings of the study of the study will be helpful to intending couples, marriage counsellor and the society at large. Practically, the study will enable communities to develop healthy cultural values that will strengthen marriage institution in the face of modernization and its infused ideologies. Also to families and couples, the study will encourage them to adopt compromise, patience kindness and modest characters that strengthen family ties in difficult moment so as to live happily and sustain their marriages as in the traditional society. More so it will enable marriage counselors on developing strategies for happy family life and marriage sustainability. It will also aid the unmarried on the need for high preparedness before entering into any form of marriage relationship and family life consequently. Empirically, the study will contribute to the general body of knowledge and serve as a reference material for scholar and student who wishes to conduct further studies on related field. 1.7 Scope of the study The scope of the study borders on The Institution of Marriage, Evolving Cultural Norms, and Divorce Trends in Southern Nigeria in Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State. There are the Ten(10) communities that make Obio/Akpor local government however participants of the study will be drawn from four(4) communities in the area of study. 1.8 Limitation of the Study In carrying out the research there are few factors that posed a lot of constrain. Such as the attitude of the respondent and time constraint. On the attitude of the respondent who are staff of University College Hospital, Ibadan., most of them were unwilling to respond to the questions on the instrument owing to the sensitivity of the topic even when the researcher pleaded anonymity of their identity. On time, during the study, the researcher also engaged in other academic activities which limited total attention paid to the survey. However all these constrain was downplayed to give the best result of study.