SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACT OF CHILDLESS MARRIED COUPLES

SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACT OF CHILDLESS MARRIED COUPLES IN FAGGE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KANO STATE

ABSTRACT

The research is an analysis of the socio-cultural impact of childless married couples, and it was carried out in Fagge local government area of Kano state. The study explored ways of reducing pressure both from the family and the society as a whole with particular reference to examining the existing causes and effects of infertility in the society. The instrument for data collection used for this research was questionnaire. The sampling techniques used for this study was cross- sectional survey research design. One hundred and thirteen (113) respondents were randomly selected. The data collected were analyzed using tables and percentages. From the analysis of the data, the major findings among others include; women are not fully blamed for the  cause of infertility like it use to be, majority of the population are aware of the medical treatment for infertility but choose not to sought for it. It is also found out that there is negative attitude of childless couples towards child adoption and seeking medical treatment as a solution to their problem. In view of these findings, the study recommend among others that: 1) mass enlightenment of the public could help increase the knowledge of the causes of infertility among married couples and also reduce feeling of inferiority complex among childless couples; 2) childless couples should seek for medical treatment jointly instead of allowing one partner to carry the burden alone among others.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study

Marriage is a universal phenomenon in Africa and among Nigerians it is a union between a man and woman that brings together families, communities, and ethnic groups (Ekong 1988). The system of marriage varies from people to people, and what is considered as the importance of marriage varies, however one general belief is that marriage is aimed at procreation, that is to say marriage and procreation are inseparable. Approximately 70-80 million couples worldwide are currently infertile (Bos et al., 1995; Boivinet al., 2007) and it can be estimated that tens of millions couples are primarily infertile or childless

Procreation is one of the major functions of the family. Every man takes a wife apparently to have children, and where this purpose is not forth coming into fulfillment, it results to tension in most cases which lead to misunderstanding and disputes in the family. Other reasons or purpose for marriage include: sexual satisfaction, companionship and economic incentive. Many wives try to ensure the procreation of children to its fullest limit. For most people bearing children is very important, and the inability to do so is a great life problem. There are men and women who have children in their previous relationship, but are desperately in need of another child.

            For most of history, childlessness has been regarded as great personal tragedy involving much emotional pain and grief, especially when it results from failure to conceive or from the death of a child (Mail, Charlene, 1986); this is because children are seen as a symbol of self-fulfillment both socially and economically. According to Ebigbola (2000), modernization has not weakened the deep-rooted tradition of having children as soon as possible after marriage; this is because they are needed for so many reasons, which are both socio-cultural and economic. Recent studies conducted in societies in Egypt, Nigeria, Mozambique and the Gambia reviewed that women who are childless are often segregated and excluded from social gatherings or despised (Kabsa 1994,Gerrits, Okonofu,Sundby 1997). Where ignorance prevails, childlessness is usually blamed on the woman. In a more recent study in Benin City, Nigeria, Omage (2013) reported that childless women are regarded as worthless and deserved to be divorced. This in itself adds to the high level of negative emotional and social effects of childlessness.

            Childless couples can be viewed in two ways; voluntary childless couples and involuntary childless couples. Voluntary childless couples are couples who are fertile but choose not to bear children, while involuntary childless couples are couples who desire to bear children but find it difficult due to infertility, pregnancy loss, and stillbirth or child death. For the purpose of this study we will be looking at involuntary childless couples. Infertility according to American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM, 2013) is failure to achieve a successful pregnancy after 12 months or more of appropriate, timed unprotected intercourse or therapeutic donor insemination. A great deal of research in the Western world has shown that involuntary childlessness has strong psychological consequences (Brokvich and Fisher, 1998). These psychological effects include distress, raised depression and anxiety levels, lowered self-esteem, feelings of blame and guilt, somatic complaints, and reduced sexual interest. These effects are seen more in women.       Childless couples are however not totally excluded from the world of children, especially if couples have good friends or relatives with children. They are allowed to participate in the lives of their children by, for instance taking care of the children when parent are busy or travelled, taking care of the children during the holiday seasons, or attending shows in which the children participate. An early study on childlessness showed that about 10% of couples have chosen this strategy as a way of coming to terms with their childless life (Van Balen, 1991). Recently, Wirtberg and colleagues (2007) described this as a coping strategy for childlessness. From this it can be seen that the West do not formally exclude childless couples from being involved with raising their child. Other coping strategies include; becoming a teacher, counseling, and running an orphanage home. Some wealthy families adopt children as a means of providing heirs in case of childlessness or where no son had been born, the monetary incentives offered by westerners desire for children is so strong that a commercial market in the child laundering business exists (McCurry, 2005). Most couples see the inability to conceive as a stressful experience and situation. The consequences of infertility are great and can include personal suffering and societal repercussions. Assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF, can offer hope to many couples where there is available treatment, though medical coverage and affordability pose as a barrier. The medicalization of infertility has led to the disregard of the emotional responses that couples get, which include distress, loss of control and stigmatization. Fortunately, psychological interventions, especially for those emphasizing on stress management and coping skills training, have been shown to have beneficial effects for infertility patients. This study is therefore intended to investigate the socio-cultural context, perception and implications of childlessness on both men and women.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

            Throughout the world and particularly in African societies, childlessness tends to raise a sense of pity in the society; this is because children are regarded as great treasure to their parents and relations because they are considered heirs-apparent. Many families suffer from childlessness for so many reasons such as drug abuse, hard drugs effect, contraception, numerous abortions, and genetically inherited sickness and in most cases, physiological disorder, and psychological problems. The number of childless couples is tremendously on the increase.  This is evident to the fact that attempts to initiate a move, which would have been directed towards adoption, are taken with serious resistance in some places mostly by couples without a child. Childless couples are faced with segregation, continuous search for a child and some contemplate child snatching.

            However the socio-cultural dynamics of childlessness and the extent to which it is perceived is being understudied and not been well documented. Many questions are begging for answers: how do people perceive barrenness; what is the nature of the conflict between the husband and the wife; how is it handled on the sides of both the husband’s family and the wife’s family; what coping strategy do couples adopt under such situations; and most importantly how is it handled by the society? The search for answers to these and other related questions provided the motivation and need for empirical evidence in other to put speculations to rest. The problem of this study, therefore, is to study childlessness and its socio-cultural impact on married couples.

1.3       Research Questions

            The study will be guided by the following research questions:

i.              How do people perceive and handle barrenness?

ii.             What is the nature of conflicts arising from childlessness?

iii.            Are married couples aware of the medical treatment of infertility?

iv.           To what extent have married couples sort for medical solution to their problems?

v.            What coping strategies are adopted by the couples under such situation?

vi.           What are the causes of infertility among married couples?

vii.          What is the socio-cultural impact of childlessness on married couples?

1.4       Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this study is to determine the socio-cultu

ral impact of childlessness on married couples. The following specific objectives will be pursued:

1. To determine the impact of childlessness on married couples.
2. To find out the extent to which childless couples seek for medical solutions to their problems.
3. To determine perceived factors responsible for infertility among married of couples.
4. To find out the attitude of childless couples towards child adoption as a solution to their problem.

TOPIC: SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACT OF CHILDLESS MARRIED COUPLES IN FAGGE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KANO STATE

Chapters: 1 - 5
Delivery: Email

Number of Pages: 70

Price: 3000 NGN

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