Consequences Of Polygamous Marriage On The Christians

Project and Seminar Material for Education

Abstract

This work and research carried out by the researcher has brought new awareness to the issue of Christians and polygamy. In this work the researcher directed his attention towards the dweller and indigenes of Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. According to the information conveyed from the research carried out, it was observed that the consequence of polygamy on Christian is pertinent. The researcher made use of questionnaire to sample the opinions of the people concerned the following result were obtained from nine localities or clans that made up the enclave, where the research was conducted many of the respondents speak on the need for Christians to desist from polygamy. The data collected were analyzed using percentage storing of each response to an alternative answer. The researcher shows that the defect can be tacked by the man himself if he fair and firm in all his actions in the homes.

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Family according to encyclopedia America is a core group of persons related by birth, marriage or other names (such as adoption) who commonly reside in the same household. The family is both subset of an individual’s total kinship network and a key unity of the household or domestic economy.

Although family composition and structure vary greatly from culture to culture in general. Furthermore, families have existed in all societies and in all periods of human history family is equally a powerful symbol of social cohesion and morally a kind of micro of community and society. When anthropologist and sociologist speaks of the family they may be referring to married parents and children or to a broader kinship units social scientists have postulated that in all societies the family is to perform a set of basic functions. a basic function may be considered any activity imperative for the continuing existence of the society. The organization of an individual is defined as a role and Is conceptualized around a specific function such as raising of children.

Moreover, each role implies a reciprocal role for example the sexual functions of marriage reside both in the husband’s role. According to J.B Chitamber (1972) family is the basic social institution of an organized relationship involving workable and dependable person by ties of marriage by blood, adoption, common consent and characterized by common residence and economic co-operation. Dr Martin Herbert (1975) on his own part states that all known societies the family is the most recognized unit which resumes the function of child bearing perpetuation of the family and human rules, socialization provision of economic man tenancy and live hood, love, affection and security. According to Bas Dean (1977) there are many types of family units of which monogamous and polygamous family units are inclusive.

The monogamous family unit is common in advance countries and hence it is commonly referred to us the Western type of family. It is mostly praised by some educated people, those who are religious ethnic’s permits only monogamous marriage and those legally married in the law court.

Polygamy therefore is a kind of marriage that permits a person to have more than one husband or wife. There is different type of polygamy, but the researcher is narrowing his finding to two striking, Examples polygamy and polyandry. Polygamy is a process whereby or which permits a man marry more than one woman or wife, while polyandry has to do with a woman, who married to more than one man or husband. This is practiced mostly in Tibet. The effect of this marriage on the girl child is what the researcher is basing his research. This type of marriage is prevalent in Nigeria particularly, Oredo local government area of Edo state. Dr Martin Herbert and Ushio Biolonwu daintily agreed on the following reasons: Traditionally: it is practiced because of the prestige it accord a man, in the society in which he lives Religiously; most religion encouraged the practice of marrying more than one wife for example in Islam you are expected to marry as many wife as you wish, depending on your purchasing power.

1.2 Statement of Problem

In every societies of the world there are some specific structure designated to meet the immediate need of the society consequent upon this is Oredo settlement she has a robust nature of socialization which clearly defines the role of both sexes (male and female). Over the years position of women in Nigeria societies, especially in Oredo, has not be given a serious concern.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The objectives of the study are;

To identify the consequences of polygamous family unit on the Christian in Oredo local government area
To highlight the factors which gave rise to polygamous family unit
To offer suggestion that will bring about lasting solution to this menace.

1.4 Research Hypotheses

For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;

H0: there are no consequences of polygamous family unit on the Christian in Oredo local government area.
H1: there are consequences of polygamous family unit on the Christian in Oredo local government area
H02: there are no factors which gave rise to polygamous family unit
H2: there are factors which gave rise to polygamous family unit

1.5 Significance of the Study

The knowledge of the study will be of immense benefit to the following: the married women because they are majority involved in this type of marriage the opinion of the Christian about the issue of polygamous family unit in Oredo local government area of Edo state the findings of the research will be carefully analyzed and interpreted through the data collected and solution will be provided to a given problems.

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The scope of the study covers consequences of polygamous marriage on Christian home. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;

a) Availability of Research Material:

The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study

b) Time:

The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

c) Organizational Privacy:

Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities.

1.7 Definition of Terms

Education:

Is the totality of processes through which an individual acquires knowledge, skills, attitude and abilities which enable him or her to positively contribute towards the meaningful development of the society. Encyclopedia American a defined Education as a design to affirmatively assist individual to develop their skills or potentials and to lead a productive and satisfying lives culturally, education is the process whereby society preserves and perpetuates its social valves and institutions. It is the means by which the collective wisdom of the past is transmitted to each new generation.

Polygamous:

This is the institution that permits the marrying of more than one wife or husband. It can either be polygamous, systematic polygamy is a situation in which a man marries a woman divorce her marries another, divorce her adifinitum. While polyandry is a process whereby a woman get married to more than one husband.

Family:

Family is seen as a subset of an individual total Kinsley network and a key unit of the household or domestic economy, a symbol of social cohesion and moral philosophy.

1.8 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows.

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.
Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.
Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.
Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.
Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Introduction

It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain consequences of polygamous marriage on Christian home. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of polygamous marriage on Christian home

5.2 Summary

This study was on consequences of polygamous marriage on Christian home. Three objectives were raised which include: to identify the consequences of polygamous family unit on the Christian in Oredo local government area, to highlight the factors which gave rise to polygamous family unit, to offer suggestion that will bring about lasting solution to this menace. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 selected polygamous residents in Oredo local government of Edo state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made of husbands, wives, male children and female children were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies

5.3 Conclusion

We began this study by the statement of the polygamy issue which includes the definition of the term, polygamy, as well as the historical background of the issue. lt has been demonstration that although polygamy has been practiced in many societies for centuries, it has been, nevertheless, an African issue. Throughout history, scholars have not agreed on a uniform manner of dealing with polygamy in the church.

5.4 Recommendation

That polygamy must be ridden off is beyond argumentation. However, this practice is still heavily embedded in the psyche of many Africans as an acceptable practice. To dislodge it in the minds of its practitioners and secure a shift of conviction would require the subjection of its supporters to extensive sensitization coupled women empowerment efforts. As Fanon (2004: 230) explains, ‘sometimes people hold a core belief that is very strong. When they are presented with evidence that works against that belief, the new evidence cannot be accepted. It would create a feeling that is extremely uncomfortable, called cognitive dissonance. And because it is so important to protect the core belief, they will rationalize it, ignore and even deny anything that does not fit in with the core belief. Despite defenses to be put up by its practitioners, the denials and rationalizations that Fanon talks about, the movement against polygamy must not relent until polygamy falls.