An Appraisal Of Divorce Among Women In Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government

Project and Seminar Material for Sociology

An Appraisal Of Divorce Among Women In Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government (Charles)

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government, Plateau State. The study was specifically aimed to ascertain the prevalence of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government, find out the causes of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government, and ascertain the effect of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government. Research questions were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study was made up of 259 selected women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government. Questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection. The researcher made use of frequency tables. While the hypotheses were tested using Chi-square statistical tool. The study revealed that the prevalence of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government is high. The study also revealed that divorce has a negative effect among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government as it leads to depression, anxiety, insomnia, and substance abuse. In accordance with the findings, the research recommended that counsellors should liaise with priests, catechists, evangelists, pastors and imams in the areas of need to enable appropriate channel of information to the grassroots. To mention but few.

Table of Content

Title Page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Table of Content
List of Tables
Abstract

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Limitation of the Study
1.9 Definition of Terms
1.10 Organisations of the Study

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sample Size Determination
3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
3.6 Method of Data Collection
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
3.8 Validity of the Study
3.9 Reliability of the Study
3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Analysis of Data
4.3 Answering Research Questions
4.4 Test of Hypotheses

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

In Nigeria, marriage is regarded as a sacred institution. Marriage seems to be the biggest celebration in the country. During the wedding ceremony, the joy that radiates from the faces of the couple show that they are in love and that the union would last forever. Unfortunately, it is not always the case. There is an increase in the rate of divorce cases in Nigeria. On the other hand, it is interesting to note, that in the past, divorce was not something that was mentioned or discussed in the public. The idea is that once you are married, you are expected to stick with your partner for better and for worse. This makes a lot of people not to accept or admit that they are having problems in their marriages. In a nutshell, some ethnic groups consider it a taboo because it would bring shame to their families and culture.

At this point, it is pertinent to ask an important question. What is divorce? The dictionary of Sociology defined divorce as the formal legal dissolution of a legally constituted marriage. The conditions necessary to terminate a marriage in divorce vary widely from culture to culture and over time (Scott & Marshall, 2009, 187). A divorce enables the former partners to carry on separate lives legally although the former partners might continue to interact if they had children. Considerable rescripting of roles is often necessary for couples to change from spouses to nonintimate co-parents. Partly to reduce the stigma attached to the term divorce, it is now sometimes called dissolution of marriage (Starbuck & Lundy, 2016, 404). Divorce is necessary for some couples because some partners are stuck in a toxic, unhealthy, and dangerous marriage. Many health risks can as well make one to leave the marriage. The bottom line is that when it becomes difficult for couples to live under the same roof, divorce becomes an option. This enables them to heal from their wounds and move on to a healthier future.

Nigeria has witnessed increase in divorce due to its embrace of westernization, globalization, urbanization and industrialization. This has resulted to the relegation of the extended families which is an important unit of the family in conflict resolution and management between couples hence their less involvement in the affairs of its members. Divorce in Enugu urban is a persistent one with immediate and continuous effect with its major causal factor as the social acceptance of divorce for the 21st century couples. In fact the mantra changed from “Together we can turn a house to a home” to “i cannot come and kill myself” which is evident in the increased tolerance and relaxation of negative attitudes towards divorce especially from religious groups and communities. The phenomenon of divorce is increasing receiving attention in all parts of the city with 0.2% of men and 0.3% of women legally dissolving their marriage (The Economist, 2016). In 2018 alone, separation rates in Nigeria recorded a 14% increase with about 3000 divorce cases recorded in Badagry alone (NBS, 2018). In 2019, a report titled “Deciphering the high rate of divorce in Nigeria”, Kano state alone had over one million registered divorces. Subsequently, records at federal capital territory high court showed that between 2019 and Feb 2020, there was over 2000 divorce cases filed and about 30 cases being entertained every day(Yakubu, 2020). These findings further revealed that the figure is higher at customary courts and sharia customary courts. In Enugu, no fewer than 55 divorce cases have been recorded annually according to Justice Pricilla Emehalu during the 2018/2019 legal year while 3, 503 cases were currently pending at the high court and 5,502 in the Magistrate courts respectively (Eze, 2018). In Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government like in every state, there is little documentation on divorce. This is because divorce is often seen as a private hell, a moral failure and social evil yet divorce is on the increase daily hence the researcher sought more answers on the appraisal of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government.

1.2 Statement of Research Problem

Divorce in recent times have been widely accepted among Nigerian women, mostly because of civilization and the improvement in laws and policy that have guided divorce. Therefore, the research sought to appraise divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government.

1.3 Object of the Study

The primary objectives of the study is to carry out an appraisal of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government. Specifically but not limited to, other objectives of the study are:

Ascertain the prevalence of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government.
Find out the causes of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government.
Ascertain the effect of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government.

1.4 Research questions

For the purpose of this paper, four research questions were raised and shall be answered.

What is the prevalence of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government?
What are the causes of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government?
What are the effect of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: Divorce has no negative effect on women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government
Ha: Divorce has a negative effect on women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study is considered significant for the following reason:

It will bring more exposure to the examination of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government
Findings from this study will serve as a benchmark for, religious organizations, government agencies , individuals and academia
It will also serve as a guide to future researchers as it forms a basis on which other studies can be undertaken on divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study will be focused on an appraisal of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government. Geographically the study will be delimited to Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government, Pleatue State.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

A study of this sort would be incomplete without addressing some of the difficulties that the researcher experienced. As a result, the different issues that limit the results of this research endeavor are addressed below.

This study is primarily based on the responses of pupils and teachers. The time allotted for this study was insufficient; as a result, the researcher was unable to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the subject.

In the local government region used as a case study for this research, there was another period of long vacation for teachers and pupils.

Finally, all of the questionnaires distributed to the researcher were not returned by instructors, students, or counselors. And this would only encourage him to work with those who were closest to him.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Divorce

This is the legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body.

1.10 Organization of the Study

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, abnd selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on a critical examination of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government, Plateau State. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was to critically examine divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government, Plateau State.

The study was specifically aimed to ascertain the prevalence of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government, find out the causes of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government, and ascertain the effect of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 259 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are selected women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government.

5.3 Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, the researcher concluded that;

The prevalence of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government is high.
The causes of divorce among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government includes: lack of proper enquiry before marriage, infidelity/adultery, violence/abuse, and childlessness and male child preference.
Divorce has a negative effect among women in Gada Biu Community, Jos North Local Government as it leads to depression, anxiety, insomnia, and substance abuse.

5.4 Recommendations

Following the findings of the study, these recommendations are made:

Marital counselling should be carried out at grassroots level through community based organizations in partnership with extended families.
Counsellors should liaise with priests, catechists, evangelists, pastors and imams in the areas of need to enable appropriate channel of information to the grassroots.
Policies that will strengthen marriage and reform divorce laws to make divorce harder to obtain. These measures should be designed to break up harder to do by requiring proof of faults or extending waiting period require before divorce is granted.
Couples should be encouraged to participate in marital education before getting married and in the process of marriage.
Child marriages should be discouraged since maturity is an important factor in longlasting marriages.