Effect Of Infidelity Among Couples

Project and Seminar Material for Sociology

Effect Of Infidelity Among Couples (Charles)

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the effect of infidelity among couples using Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State as a case study. The study was carried out to find out the causes of marital instability, determine the contribution of premarital counselling towards marriage sustainability, and establish effective strategies for premarital counselling for marriage sustainability. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprised of couples residents in Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 147 respondents and 141 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables. While the hypotheses will be tested using Chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that the causes of infidelity among couples in Nigeria includes: childlessness, early marriage, sexual incompatibility, and lack of preparation for marriage. The study also revealed that the plausible solutions/strategies that will help curtail infidelity among couples in Nigeria includes: counseling, effective communication, and sensitization on the implication of infidelity. Therefore, it is recommended that couples to be should be sensitized about marriage that it is not a child play. Enough symposiums and seminar should be put in place to create awareness on the basis of taking marriage serious and not playing down on its importance and role. Religious societies should put more efforts in making sure that quality marriages course is done in their various Parishes to boost continued harmony after marriage. Marriage course can be extended to one year during courtship. To mention but a 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

Marriage is one of the oldest institutions associated with human society. It is one that has repeatedly been emphasized in every society and constitutes the yardstick for the determination of responsibility in the families. Ofoegbu (2002) defined marriage as an arrangement of social structure which results in the establishment of a relationship of a legal customary or religious bond between a man and his wife for the propagation of the family root through procreation and sharing of various types of other acceptable relationship norms. Marriage of some kind is found virtually in every society. But throughout the centuries, marriage has taken many different forms. Understanding of marriage contrasts greatly from culture to culture, some view the institution as endogamous (men were required to marry within their social group, family, clan or tribe), exogamous (marrying outside the geographical region or social group) or polygamous (allowing people (both men and women) to take more than one partner.

Denga (1990) as cited in Yahaya, Esere, Ogunsanmi & Onye (2008) states that marriage is a partnership contract without escape clauses because it connotes a lifelong arrangement where the couple should permanently survive a multitude of demanding situations such as illness, financial constraints and so on. At any given time in human history, a family comes into existence each time a marriage is successfully contracted. The family is the most important primary group and the smallest social unit in any particular society. Family setting is universal because the human society exists or has existed with some form of family organization. Akubue & Okolo, (2008) referred to family as any group of people who interact and communicate with each other such as husband, wife and children in organizational settings. In the Nigeria context, because of the phenomenon of the extended family system, the family is made up of married people, their off springs and immediate kith and kin and other dependents (Onwuasonya, 2006).

From creation, every society has its traditional practices such as loving one’s spouse, having sex only with ones partner among others, which are pronounced during marriage ceremonies are expected of couples to boost the image and self-esteem of their partners. Some partners deviate from these norms and exhibit it outside their marital homes. This has been a source of marital dispute and instability among couples. The negative outcome of this often times impacts the children psychologically and socially (Fernando, 2013). Contemporary society is bedeviled with marital problems which are not in accordance with the standards, norms and values of traditional society.
Marital fidelity has been known not only to keep a family together but also a generation of individuals that respect the sanctity of marriage. People get married with fidelity in mind but infidelity has always been documented to affect almost 80% of marriage around the world. Infidelity in marriage is a social issue various society, religion and age frown at, and as a result stringent measures are placed to curtail this act. In some societies, the penalty could be as stiff as death. However, infidelity strives leaving the people to wonder why it has taken a form of legacy passed from one generation to the other. (Ejaifo, 2012).

Infidelity in marriage is gradually becoming a norm. Female infidelity is the new trend because extra marital sex by men is socially tolerated and in many respects, even socially rewarded. The prevalence of married men’s participation in extra marital sex in Nigeria is well documented (Karanja, 1987; Onusuloye, Caldwell & Caldwell, 1997; Lawoyin & Larsen, 2002; Mitsunaga, Powell, Antonia, Heard, Nathan, Larsen., 2005). A report out of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University found that for the first time in modern history, women are cheating at nearly the same rate as men. Another study, published in the National Opinion Research center’s 2013 General Social Survey, found that while the percentage of men who admitted to infidelity has held constant over the last two decades, the percentage of wives who reported having affairs rose almost 40 percent.

Before the advent of civilization, married women, no matter the conditions they found themselves never became promiscuous; they remained chaste and faithful to their vows. Cheating among Nigerian women is the new trend, which is abstract and very different to what was in existence two decades ago, when women were faithful, patient and more tolerating (Ejaifo, 2012). Against this background, this study is aimed at investigating the effect of infidelity among couples.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Marital infidelity among women which was a rare phenomenon has apparently become common place today in the Nigerian society. According to a new report by Durex, a condom manufacturing company in 2012, Nigerian women are ranked the most unfaithful in the world with 62 percent.

Infidelity impacts strongly on the functionality and stability of relationship (Drigotas, Safstrom, & Gontlia, 1999; Whisman, Dixon & Johnson, 1997).

John Kester, a sociologist at the University of Lagos reports that infidelity not only hurts the relationship but has an adverse impact on family life, particularly if children are involved. When a mother is having an affair there is a different reaction in children, this is because the mother is still most often considered the focus of the family and of course when the child learns of an affair, he or she is in danger of testing confidence in the inability of marriage and family.

Research on marital infidelity shows that it leads to marital strife leading to divorce, wife battering, prostitution in urban areas, children born of different fathers and the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (National Aids Control Council (NACC), 2007). Marital infidelity has been associated with increased risk of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety (Cano & O’ Leary, 2000).

Marital Infidelity by impacts negatively on the development in any given area due to its effect on people involved. Resources that are made for the development of the family are deviated to cater for extra-marital affairs and the treatment of HIV/AIDS (Kenya Forum, 2013). Infidelity by women could also enhance the spread of sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia, syphilis, and many others. Reproductive health of the women are most times usually affected, thus resulting to loss of lives by the women or mothers, thereby making their children become orphans, or even school dropouts, thus becoming touts and juvenile deliquents.

Despite its negative effects on the health of their family members and the society at large, it is worrisome to observe that married women still indulge in extramarital affairs. What could be behind this rise? Could it be that married women are lacking some fundamental needs in family relationship which they seek to satisfy from external sources? It is in view of these concerns that this study is being carried out to find out effect of infidelity among couples.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The overall aim of this study is to critically assess the effect of infidelity among couples. Hence, the study will be channeled to the following specific objectives;

Ascertain the prevalence of infidelity among couples in Nigeria.
Find out the causes of infidelity among couples in Nigeria.
Determine the effect of infidelity among couples in Nigeria.
To proffer plausible solutions/strategies that will help curtail infidelity among couples in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Question

This study will be guided by the following questions;

What is the prevalence of infidelity among couples in Nigeria?
What are the causes of infidelity among couples in Nigeria?
What is the effect of infidelity among couples in Nigeria?
What are the plausible solutions/strategies that will help curtail infidelity among couples in Nigeria?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: The prevalence of infidelity among couples in Nigeria is low.
Ha: The prevalence of infidelity among couples in Nigeria is high.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study has both practical and theoretical significance.

Practically, the study will help to resuscitate marriage and improve marriage relationship by helping married people to keep to their marital vows and have healthy spousal relationships. It will help to create societal awareness on the damages and harm of infidelity, if not properly curbed.

Theoretically, the findings will give first-hand information to religious leaders, marriage counselors, women organizations on the prevalence and causes of marital infidelity among women, with a view to give proper counseling to spouses either before or during the marriage sessions. With the knowledge, the curriculum planners would include issues that bother on family and procreation into subjects like, Sociology, Civic Education, Sexuality Education and Social Studies. Findings of the study will also add to existing knowledge and literature that have addressed the issue of marital infidelity among married couples.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study boarders on the effect of infidelity among couples. Geographically the study will be delimited to Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State and Nigeria at large.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

Finance for the general research work will be a challenge during the course of study. Correspondents also might not be able to complete or willing to submit the questionnaires given to them.

However, it is believed that these constraints will be worked on by making the best use of the available materials and spending more than the necessary time in the research work. Therefore, it is strongly believed that despite these constraint, its effect on this research report will be minimal, thus, making the objective and significance of the study achievable.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Marriage:

In the context of this study, marriage can be seen as the legalizing of a special relationship between a man and a woman to which the society gives its approval. It places each partner under legal and social obligations to the other and to the society.

Couple:

This refers to two people who are married, are living together or having an intimate relationship, as socially approved.

Infidelity:

It is referred to as cheating or adultery when married. It is a violation of a couple’s assumed or stated contract regarding emotional and or sexual exclusivity.

1.10 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, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on the effect of infidelity among couples using Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State as a case study. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was to examine the effect of infidelity among couples using Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State as a case study. The study specifically was aimed to find out the causes of marital instability, determine the contribution of premarital counselling towards marriage sustainability, and establish effective strategies for premarital counselling for marriage sustainability.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 141 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents are couples residents in Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State .

5.3 Conclusions

Based on the findings of this study, the researcher made the following conclusion.

The prevalence of infidelity among couples in Nigeria is high.
The causes of infidelity among couples in Nigeria includes: childlessness, early marriage, sexual incompatibility, and lack of preparation for marriage.
Infidelity has a negative effect among couples in Nigeria as it leads to separation/divorce, domestic violence, lost of trust, and possible death.
The plausible solutions/strategies that will help curtail infidelity among couples in Nigeria includes: counseling, effective communication, and sensitization on the implication of infidelity

5.4 Recommendations

Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are proffered.

Couples to be should be sensitized about marriage that it is not a child play. Enough symposiums and seminar should be put in place to create awareness on the basis of taking marriage serious and not playing down on its importance and role. Religious societies should put more efforts in making sure that quality marriages course is done in their various Parishes to boost continued harmony after marriage. Marriage course can be extended to one year during courtship.
Marriage counseling centers should be functional in communities and rural areas with experienced and well trained marriage counselors seeing to the needs of married couples at such centers when the need arise aside chiefs and elders in the communities.
Government at all level should provide job for her citizens and empower them to make ends meet. This will help to reduce much of the sexual practices in the society especially on the part of women.
Divorce is not the best option to marital infidelity. This has proven to create more harm to the family affected, children, and society at large rather; elders in the community should be sorted for who are conversant with culture. Sincere love and affection, honesty and openness to each other are important in marriage. These values once acquired will put every other thing in shape and make their marriage a happy union.