Trauma Facing Women Without a Male Child in Igueben, Edo State. Africa and Christian Perspective
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objective of the study is to investigate the trauma facing women without a male child in Igueben, Edo State. Africa and Christian perspective. The specific objectives are;
- To investigate the influence of education on gender preference among Igueben people in Edo state
- To explore the current relevance of socio-cultural determinants of male preference in Igueben people in Edo state.
- To find out the trauma facing women without male child in Igueben, Edo state
- To examine the African perspective on women trauma without male child in Igueben, Edo state
- To find out Christian perspective on women trauma without male child in Igueben, Edo state
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
There is no gainsaying the fact that in most African societies the preference for male child is an open secret which is very visible in their cultures. In most of these cultures where patriarchy exists the relevance and importance of male child over daughters cannot be over emphasized. This is the philosophy of patriarchy because in patriarchal societies the males dictate determine and define the affairs of the societies. To that extent male child preference in these cultures is most pervasive and pathetic to the extent that it contradicts and contravenes most international human rights law and also domesticated national laws which prohibit traditional harmful practices on gender ground. The preference for male child has been found to have great implications for the fertility rate of every society. In the quest to have a male child, couples continue to bear children until a male child is born even when it is against their original desire to born a specified number of children (Adebowale & Palamuleni, 2015; Eguavuoen et al., 2007; Edewor 2006; Isiugo-Abanihe, 1994; Bhatia 1984 ). In most cases, couple desires a specified number of children to be borne at marriage but in the course of child rearing this original desire may be altered in the quest to have one or more of a particular sex. Studies have shown that gender preference and living children sex composition of children could influence couples intention to bear more children even against their original desire (Adebowale & Palamuleni, 2015). If their desired for a particular sex is not among their living children, the tendency is that such couples continue to bear children until their desired sex is borne.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to examine trauma facing women without a male child in Igueben, Edo State. Africa and Christian perspective.
CHAPTER FOUR
ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF DATA
One hundred and sixty (160) questionnaires were distributed and one hundred and forty (133) were returned. This figure was the sample size. Out of the one hundred and thirty-three, only one hundred and twenty (120) were properly responded to. As a result, the researcher used one hundred and twenty for this study when more than 50% of the respondents agree to the questions, the answer is taken as valid for the purpose of this study. In analyzing the data, the approach that will be adopted is to find out the percentage and positive and negative answers to the question posed.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was trauma facing women without a male child in Igueben, Edo State. Africa and Christian perspective. 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 women facing without a male child in Igueben, Edo State. Africa and Christian perspective
Summary
This study was on trauma facing women without a male child in Igueben, Edo State. Africa and Christian perspective. Five objectives were raised which included: To investigate the influence of education on gender preference among Igueben people in Edo state, to explore the current relevance of socio-cultural determinants of male preference in Igueben people in Edo state, to find out the trauma facing women without male child in Igueben, Edo state, to examine the African perspective on women trauma without male child in Igueben, Edo state and to find out Christian perspective on women trauma without male child in Igueben, Edo state. In line with these objectives, five research questions were formulated and answered. The total population for the study was 200 residents in Igueben, Edo state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study.
Conclusion
Conclusively, it is our belief that preference for a particular child or sex should be at the whims and caprices of the individuals. Everyone is at liberty to prefer one sex to another. Even within the same sex there are preferences. But what may not be palatable and plausible is when such actions are guided by the custom and tradition of the land so that they perpetually and consistently become our reference points. It is on this note I want to end this study with an excerpt from Mabeiam (2012) “ Every child is a gift from God and when we scorn His gift we stand condemned. People are just people irrespective of gender and our God given abilities are not distributed based on gender. But the emphasis of male children over the females has led to complacency by most male children when compared to female children. We must remember that life is not a huge running battle between both sexes. We co-exist because one cannot do without the other
Recommendation
A holistic reorientation of custodians of the customs and tradition of the study population. This reorientation should be targeted at critical stakeholders like the traditional rulers, priests, chiefs, community leaders, women opinion leaders.
The education of the minds and empowerment of the girl child is a paramount factor toward changing the perception of the female children.
Relevant legislation of laws to re-examine the culture of patriarchy so that those laws which adversely affect fundamental human rights should be abrogated. Such laws should not be left to die on arrival but they must be enforced.
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