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THE
CONSEQUENCES OF DIVORCE IN BENIN KINGDOM
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
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, community
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
Ministry of Information and Culture recorded that 1,697 Marriages were
registered for both the Churches and Marriage Registry from 1984-1988. During
the same period (1984-88) there were 12, 104 divorces (Court case file, Child
Welfare Centre and Oja-oba Area Courts, Ilorin). According to these records,
the rate of divorces over marriages is at 71% approximately 7 divorces to every
marriage (7:1). Ahmed (1990) has opined that the rate of divorce in Ilorin and
its environs is increasing at an alarming rate.
This rate
of divorce should strike counsellors as a problem worthy of 'serious
therapeutic attention because it is one of the most terrifying sources of
psychological, social and educational problems in the society.
Since
a large proportion of families are experiencing marital disorganization,
counsellors should find practical solutions to minimize the problems. Divorce
has been found to have social, psychological and educational effects on the
children of
divorced
parents, the spouses themselves and even the general public. Katu (2008)
stressed that most social misfits found in Nigerian urban areas are products of
broken homes. Frank (2000) also noted that even the spouses themselves have
been found to experience loneliness, stress and strain. In view of these, there
is the need for experts to find means of ensuring marital stability so as to
avoid the constant breakages marital relationship. Thus, Olusanya (2000) found
education to be a factor that positively affects marital stability and
concluded that the more the education of the spouses the more stable their
marriage will be. In an earlier study, Click and Norton (2001) observed that
men who complete college have lower probability of divorce than men who
complete only high school or who leave college without graduating. This
therefore, shows that education makes for an increase sense of responsibility
within marriage. It is therefore the aim of this study to find out what married
students of tertiary institutions in Ilorin perceive as the causes of divorce
so that solutions to the incessant divorce cases within our society might be
found.
STATEMENT
OF PROBLEM
There are
many consequences with divorce which at the long run reflect on the children in
Benin City and Nigeria at large. Some of these problems are;
i.
There is increase in domestic work and redistribution of household chores,
which leaves the children with little or no time for their studies
ii.
In security, step parent do not show much love and affection to their step
children. Thus, these children suffer from mental retardation, personality
improvement and are always miserable. They show behavioral responses like
lying, stealing, building and playing truant in school.
iii.
Also, it has been observed that children from broken homes suffer some other
problems such as non-provision of some basic material needs like food, clothing
and learning material etc.
iv.
Bridging of a gap on the children’s existence because there is no adult to
guide and direct their behavior and desires as children learn by limitation.
PURPOSE OF
STUDY
The
researcher is interested in the study of consequences of divorce on children in
Benin City, because of the recent trend of divorce there have been decrease in
the performance of children in schools which is giving much concern to most Edo
State indigenes as to where we are heading to. In view of this, this study is
geared towards identifying the causes and consequences of divorce on children
in Benin City, Nigeria.
Also, to
educate married couples and the general public of the consequences of divorce
on the children in Benin City and to encourage them to live harmoniously in
order to bring up children who will successfully fit into the society and
become useful to themselves and finally make necessary recommendations.
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
This study
will give the researcher a deep insight into the consequences of divorce on
children in Benin City in particular and Nigeria in general, because whatever
happens in the home has a bearing on the children in the society.
Therefore,
it is necessary to educate the youngsters who are yet to marry about the causes
and consequences of divorce on the children in Benin City and Nigeria at large.
This will make youngsters to be careful when choosing their life partners.
Lastly, the findings from this study will give parents who are divorced and
children from divorced homes the understanding of the problems experienced and
give them assurance about their future.
RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
a.
What are the causes of divorce on the children in Benin City?
b.
Does divorce has any effect on the behaviour children?
c.
Do couples realize that problem in marriage can lead to divorce?
d.
Does psychological and emotional disturbance lead to academic and social
backwardness of children in the society?
e.
Does insecurity and unruly attitude of stepmothers to children from divorced
homes make them steal in society?
f.
What are the likely factors that can lead to divorce?
SCOPE OF THE
STUDY
This study is on divorce and its consequences in Benin Kingdom, and it is
limited only to the Benin speaking indigenes in Edo State only.
DEFINITION
OF TERMS
Family: A group
of persons, two or more related by blood, marriage or adoption residing
together; all such persons are considered as members of one family
Marriage: union of
man woman as husband and wife.
Couple: two
persons seen together as husband and wife.
Divorce: put an
end to a marriage by law of husband or wife sexually outside matrimonial home.
Infidelity:
Disloyalty or a state of being unfaithful to the husband or wife sexuality out
matrimonial home
Youngster: Young
person or young boys and girls yet to marry.
Early marriage: A
situation where either of the spouse is not ripe enough for marriage before
getting married.
Universal escape: Means of
regaining freedom from tensions of marriage
Family goals: the aims
and objective which a family strive to achieve for better living.
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