Study of Factors Influencing Divorce
CHAPTER ONE
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The aims of this study are as follows:
- To examine whether marital infidelity influence divorce among couple.
- To examine whether income influence divorce among couple.
- To examine whether polygamy influence divorce among couple.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
THEORETICAL REVIEW
THEORIES OF CONFLICT
Theories have been posited to account for conflict in social interaction mostly in marital relationship. Some of which include conflict spiral model, structural change model, aggressor-defender model, and exchange equity equality theory.
CONFLICT-SPIRAL MODEL
This theory posits that conflicts bring conflicts in social interaction mostly in marital relationship. Each partner will be trying to react in a defensive manner to the other partner’s behaviour. As a consequence there is spiral conflict, which unfolds that drops on both parties. In this theory, instead of focusing on the “first cause” as in aggressor model, it describes the changing nature of spiral hostilities continuing going upwards.
According to this theory, failure to recognize that is hot in all cases that action result in reaction, it has given a profitable account of violence that often accompanying conflict especially if there is no third party intervention and the situation remains conclusive for the conflict to keep going on.
STRUCTURAL CHANGE MODEL
The structural change model posits that the dynamic nature in human society is inevitable and it is this dynamic nature that brings conflict. The changes can occur in social setting, people’s beliefs, goals, values, attitudes and perceptions. This theory also because of the changes bring development and industrialization in the family structure and society and the role it played in interpersonal transactions are expectations. In this theory, it is not all the time that the changes will bring development and growth rather conflict may result in marriage partner not all conflict accompanying changes, some of the conflict may continue to lead to another conflict, which resulted into divorce, child’s delinquency, truancy and socially undesirable behaviours.
AGGRESSOR-DEFENDER MODEL
This theory posits that when there is conflict in a material relationship, one person perceives the other as an aggressor and depending on this or her biases, aggressor is seen as motivated by ignoble, evil and illegitimate aims while the defender (e.g. partner) is moved by noble morally correct and legitimate aims. This follows that the defender must increase the deterrent power to ensure that peace prevails. For example, a man may tell his wife not to visit her parents that particular day the woman said that she wants to visit her parents. The woman may see the husband as being developing hatred to the In-laws but what the man did is just to exercise autocracy as the head of the family. This is the typical marital relationship conflict. The woman may stick to her own thought thereby visiting her parents without regarding the “talk of the husband” which proves that the man will not be hindrance to her own personal opinion and conflict will occur. And the blame will now be on the partner conceived to be aggressive. So in marital relationship, one partner should be perceived as initiating conflict if the other partner is interfering with the spouse’s goals and values.
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
PARTICIPANTS
A total of 100 participants comprising 50 males and 50 females were used for the study. The participants were selected by using simple random sample technique. The participants were selected from civil servants in Enugu South. The participants had a minimum educational qualification of N.C.E and their age range was between 23 and 54.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS
Summary table of chi-square on the difference between observed and expected frequencies on marital infidelity as a factor.
ITEM I: Problems imposed by marital infidelity among couples can lead to divorce.
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION
The findings of this study revealed that the first hypothesis tested which stated that “There will be no significant influence of marital infidelity as a factor in divorce” was not accepted. This means that marital infidelity was found to yield a significant outcome, indicating that marital infidelity plays a remarkable role in divorce among couple.
This finding is in line with the views of Otite and Ogiowo (1979), where they postulated that some causes of divorce ranges from childlessness, cruelty, undue interference from mother In-law, marital infidelity and poverty. They also asserted that sexual deprivation is among the factors that can influence divorce. From all these investigations, one may observe that marital infidelity is an important factor in divorce.
The second hypothesis tested in this study, which stated that “There will be no significant influence of income as a factor in divorce”, is also rejected. This mans that income was found to yield a significant outcome, indicating that income play a remarkable role in divorce among couple.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
Major constraint of this study was finance. Due to lack of money, only few samples were used. In addition, the study fails to use a true sample Enugu South due to time factor and other constraints.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Further researchers should look at other factors that can cause divorce such as personality factors, hereditary factors and so on. In addition to that, they should increase their sample to have a full representation of the population.
Furthermore, experts should also look at ways to curb high rate of divorce in our society today by working with these factors that have been revealed ad mediators.
SUMMARY
The findings of this study are summarized thus:
- A significant influence of marital infidelity among couple as a factor in divorce was observed.
- A significant influence of income as a factor in divorce among couple was observed.
- A significant influence of polygamy as a factor in divorce among couple was also observed.
CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of this study, the researcher hereby concludes that divorce can be influenced by marital infidelity, income and polygamy.
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