ABSTRACT

Marriage is a sacred institution that must be well prepared for. Failure to plan before entering the union is planning to fail after entering the union. Every wedlock is bound to fail depending on the attitudes and inputs of the spouses involved.  Divorce is a common feature in the Nigerian society and worldwide. Using Benin Kingdom, as the central focus, Copies of questionnaire were used to elicit data from a sample comprising 60 married respondents in the kingdom for the purpose of assessing the consequences of divorce in Benin kingdom. From the research some factors associated with Divorce are infidelity, witchcraft, unfriendliness, keeping secrets, poverty and in-laws’ intrusion, repeated quarrellings, unemployment, barrenness, spouse beating, religious ethnic differences and sickness. The manner in which partners in a union handle these critical issue signals matrimonial success or failure on the interim of eventually. The way forward cannot be detached from the role of the stakeholders; parents, in-laws, the government for a better counselling arrangement and most importantly the married partners themselves who must put up necessary adjustment to prevent divorce and to cure matrimonial failure if it has already occurred in wedlock.

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

1.7 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS

1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE RESEARCH REPORT

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction

Causes of divorce

Possible solution to divorce

Theoretical Framework

2.3 Empirical Literature

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Study area

Study Population

Sample Population and sampling

Data collection Methods

Data Processing and Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Results and Discussions

Consequences of divorce

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS

AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary of the findings

Conclusions

Recommendations

REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The family that emerges from a marriage has some basic functions which make it unique. Bilton, Bonnett, Jones, Sheard, Stanworth and Webster (2001) observed that in all societies the family must perform some basic functions involving conception and birth, regular intercourse, socialization and maintenance functions of providing economic support and physical protection for the children as they mature. In fact, each spouse is a source of emotional support and companionship for the other (Filani, 2005). In Nigeria today, the influence of industrialization and urbanization has affected the social system of the country, a part of which is the marriage system. As new cultural patterns, new aspirations and behavioural norms have emerged and as the traditional social ties undergo changes, social control becomes weakened. The family is a sensitive institution and it monitors all these changes and reacts to them by experiencing disorganization. Since the traditional family structure has been so seriously Littered, the functions have equally been affected, and many of it important roles are now known to be associated with many forms of instability.

Marital instability according to Filani 2005), is a breakdown in communication among couples resulting in constant arguments, verbal and physical aggression psychological ill health, emotional and physical separation and sometimes divorce. Filani further noted that marital instability can result from death of spouse, desertion of the spouses, mutual separation of spouses and legal separation of spouses. Of all these factors of marital instability, divorce seems to be the most popular and most copiously documented. Divorce, according to Bohanna (2003), is a complex phenomenon n human relationship and that it takes place in six stages, these are emotional divorce stage, economic   divorce stage, legal divorce stage, co-parental divorce stage, Kingdom and psycho, divorce stages. Thus, Lands (2005) explained that divorce becomes a climax to a long story of unhappiness and it provides a legal way out of a situation which one or both parties have considered intolerable. Literature review on marriage shows a number of factors causing divorce in marriage. For instance, Thornton (2001) indicated age and age at marriage as the two most powerful predictors of divorce; Otite and Ogionwo (2001) argued that childlessness in a marriage can lead to divorce in Nigeria; Olayinka (2007) stressed the importance f communication in marital stability; extramarital sex and discrepancy in mate traits have been stressed by Ezenkwu (2008) and Decker (2007) respectively. Olusanya (1970) and Yagoob (1984) identified lack of children, economic factors, communication problems, interference of in-laws and education of spouses as the causes of divorce.

`        The prevalence of divorce cases in the world today cannot be overemphasized. Weikel and Wilson (2006) stated that divorce in U.S. by 79% between 1970 to 1977 and that one third or more of the marriages f people aged 25 to 35 years will end in divorce. Grebe (2006) also stated that in 1976, a National Centre for Health Statistics study projected that by early 1980s, 49% of all marriages would end in divorce and in fact in the U.S. during 1983, there were 10.5 marriages per ,000 people and 5.0 divorces per 1,000 people (National Centre for Health statistics Personal Communication (2004). Statistical records of marital instability are not compiled in Nigeria as yet. But Newspaper often report cases of marital disruption m weekly basis in Lagos and its environs. For example Solana (1990) reported the case of kids (aged 12 to 16 years) who were of broken homes in the Weekend Concord of September 22nd 1990. These kids according to him have become a nuisance at the Lagos City Hall during parties as they parade and fan invitees in bids to earn a living. In Kwara State, the Mi

1.2     PROBLEM STATEMENT

In accordance with Vanguard newspaper (2012), statistics reveal that 50% of new marriages end up after a short period of one year compared to traditional marriages that would last for 37 years and more but today, they last as low as 37 weeks. In Great Britain, just after the World War 2, in every three marriages, one would end up in divorce. Therefore, in accordance to the country’s statistics,

from that period, more than 70% of the children in families would grow up with their biological parents, but with time, the percentage has reduced to nearly 45% (Consumer Insight, 2012).

According to statistics, the divorce rate has been escalating annually (Madam Magazine, 2010). Also, divorce tendencies are on the rise in Nigeria. In Milimani Law Courts, in the year 2001, more than a hundred cases were filed. The number increased to more than 100 and 200 cases in the year 2002 and 2003, respectively. The following years 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008 recorded 296, 295, 357 and 369 cases respectively. Between 2010 and 2015, a total of 1,246 cases have been filed at the Milimani Courts. In the year 2015 alone, 123 cases had been filed at Milimani law courts (Madam Magazine, 2015). According to Gikonyo and Hart (2010), Fida Nigeria handled 142 cases in 2008,149 in 2009 and 69 cases between January and March2010. Despite the high legal cost involved in divorce cases, the number of divorce cases is still high. Nevertheless, a number of couples seek to resolve and settle their marital disputes outside the court (Makeni, 2010).

Infotrak survey in 2010 revealed that only 40 percent of Nigerians are happily married, the rest are either unhappy or uncertain on how to describe their unions. 29 percent of married Nigerians admit that their marriages are crumbling, while 31 percent say they are not convinced whether they are in a happy or unhappy union. About 45 percent say that they are holding on because of the money and property. In the recent twist, financial status and meddling in-laws have overtaken infidelity as the leading cause of broken marriages. Half of all married people who took part in the survey agreed with the statement above. Where the conflict ended in divorce and separation, 64 percent  of the respondents said they walked out because of money problems, compared to 56 percent who dissolved marriage because of infidelity. The traditional bond, which is love, that lead couples to the altar has taken a backseat in many Nigerian marriages and its place seized by money and children (Infotrak, 2010).

We as a society need to look at the reasons behind the failing marriages. There is a lot more pressure on marriages and relationships in general than before and the same strategies used in the past are becoming irrelevant. A series of serious conversations must be held if the institution of marriage is to survive, and burying our heads in the sand is not going to cut it anymore (Ngao, 2013). If the reports are anything to go by, the divorce rate in Nigeria is rising as there are cases in courts every day. The number of people getting married in the recent study shows that it is low compared to the people divorcing each other (Consumer Insight, 2012).

Muthoni and Makana (2015) writing in the Standard Newspaper have suggested that marriages are falling apart partly because of cheating about money or finances leading to lose of trust. Other reasons adduced are infidelity whether it’s a one night stand or a lengthy affair, cruelty and polygamy. Two major reasons for separation are cheating partners and the issues related to financial management. Therefore, this study aimed at filling the gap by bringing on board qualitative data on causes of divorce, consequences and possible solutions to divorce in Benin kingdom.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

1. What are the causes of divorce in Benin kingdom?
2. What are the consequences of divorce?

• What are the effects of divorce on children’s development?

1.4     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To establish the causes of divorce in Benin kingdom.
2. To examine the consequences of divorce in Benin kingdom.

• To examine the effects of divorce on children’s development.

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Given the high rates of divorce globally and the fact that it is on the increase in Nigeria, there is need for a comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors that perpetuate the increase.

The findings from this study would help marital counselors in interventions in the divorce education classes for parents. Mediation through this intervention program is presumed to lead to a number of interactions between the parents and also the children. Further, this would enable them maintain connection, and therefore, avoid the issue of divorce between them.

The study also sought to identify factors that cause divorce; it was hoped that once they are brought to the fore, the findings would be used by interventionists to come up with relevant advocacy initiatives based on people’s perceptions, but with the potential to help stabilize marriages in society to safeguard the future generation and that of the institution of the family and marriage.

A growing body of literature has been accrued over the years in Africa; the explanation is greatly expounded in the research papers. This is indicated by a number of family cases that have ended up in divorce (Takyi, 2001). An understanding and a solution from the perspective of the stakeholders has the potential of coming up with practical solutions to advise advocates and family therapists in their important efforts towards creating a working solution to the problem of family instability. Once families are stable, children grow up in a backyard of love and appreciation and they, in turn, are likely to take the values from which they grow up.

1.6     SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The study focused on the consequences of divorce and marital instability in Benin kingdom. The study population was chosen because of the increasing rate of divorce and marital instability in Nigeria, regionally and globally. Some of the data needed in this study was sensitive and likely to be reserved by respondents. Consent and assurance of confidentiality was used to ensure maximum cooperation during the data collection.

Results and responses could contain inherent biases among individuals for what they perceived as contributing factor in their divorce or separation. Honesty was regarded as the key factor that assisted in teasing out the issues in couples. Among many other disadvantages in this study, some couples refused to be part of the informants for fear of being judged, some men were not so receptive of the idea of the questionnaire, while some respondents had to be approached severally before they accepted to be interviewed. In as much as the respondents were available, it was not easy to get those that were willing to talk about themselves. In a number of cases, possible respondents asked to be sent the questionnaire but later went mute and refused to even respond to calls. In addition to the limitations, the sample in this study is small and may not provide adequate information for generalization across all marriages.

However, any gap in potential sample bias was mitigated through the triangulation method more so, the key informants who had interacted with many divorcing families in the past.

1.7     DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS

Divorce: is termination of marriage under the rule of law of a particular country or state

Marital instability: – according to this study is marriage is at the brink of breaking or collapsing.

Extra marital sexual affairs: These are illicit romantic and sexual relationships that occur outside marriage. This is also known as infidelity.

1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE RESEARCH REPORT

The research report is arranged in five chapters. The first chapter gives the historical setting of the study, statement of the problem, research goals, study questions, significance of the research, scope of the research and organization of the study. Chapter two provided theoretical definitions of key terms, conjectural and experiential literature review.

It also added the research gap and abstract framework. Chapter three handles research methodology, research design, study area, population as well as the size of the sample and its techniques, types of data, techniques of data collection, data processing and analysis, variables to be measured, and ethical issues. Chapter four dealt with discussion of the result findings. Lastly, chapter five is summary of the findings and their policy implications on government of Benin and Nigeria as a whole, conclusion, recommendations, limitation of the study and suggested areas for further studies and chapter summary.

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