A Proposal on Trauma Facing Women Without a Male Child in Igueben, Edo State. Africa and Christian Perspective

A Proposal on Trauma Facing Women Without a Male Child in Igueben, Edo State. Africa and Christian Perspective

Objective of the study

The objective of the study will be to investigated the trauma facing women without a male child in Igueben, Edo State. Africa and Christian perspective. The specific objectives are;

1. To investigate the influence of education on gender preference among Igueben people in Edo state
2. To explore the current relevance of socio-cultural determinants of male preference in Igueben people in Edo state.
3. To find out the trauma facing women without male child in Igueben, Edo state
4. To examine the African perspective on women trauma without male child in Igueben, Edo state
5. To find out Christian perspective on women trauma without male child in Igueben, Edo state

Reviewed 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. As Part of its programme of action, the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo Egypt, had advocated that women, who already have about four surviving children, should be encouraged not to have intention to have more children (Adebowale & Palamuleni 2015).This means the ideal number of children a woman should have is four. In real life situation the ideal number of children a family desire to have is often different from actual family size. In a study involving some Nigerian couples, it was discovered that the ideal number of children is often different from the actual (Ibisomi, Gyimah , Muindi & Adjei, 2011). The implication is that the desired number of children may not be an ideal method to ascertain couples fertility rate, it could be hypothetical. Therefore, an attempt to reduce the total fertility rate of a country must consider gender preference and living children sex composition of couples if we are to get the desired result (Adebowale & Palamuleni 2015). Some other studies have shown that a highly educated population and especially with the continued education of girls could lead to a lower preference for boys (Edewor, 2006; Bhatia 1984). With the post colonial era and the evolving national development, there were opportunities for people to access western education. Women who were hitherto not privileged to go to school were now educated. Western education as it were transforms domiciled minds and makes them to have new value systems as against the primordial. Similarly, with western education, preference for gender was also greatly influenced. In another context, the preference for male children has been found to be more pronounced and visible in the rural areas than urban centers. In India for instance, the desire for male child is relatively stronger amongst males in living in rural areas. Similarly, the preference is also stronger in developing countries than developed countries (Karsten & Kohler, 2000; Bhatia, 1984). The high premium placed on male child, especially in developing countries have been linked to varieties of economics, religious and social reasons. In some cultures male children are said to be very helpful in agricultural activities, they are believed to provide security at old age and in sickness; in most cultures they are only permitted to perform very important religious rituals; they are sources of kinship continuity, (Barot, 2012; Okogie, 1994; Bhatia, 1984). However, male child preference is not limited to African societies alone. It is also noticeable in a number of South and East Asian countries like India, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Hongkong and South Korea, as well as in some Soviet bloc countries such as Azerbaijan, Georgia and Serbia. (Barot, 2012; Prahbhjot, 1999). Despite the continued economic advancement and rapid industrialization in developing counties, there is a high persistence of male child preference, (Adebowale & Palamuleni, 2015; Nidhi & Aparajita 2011; Arnold, 1997). But in Europe, the trend is for mixed – sex preference. However, there is a strong girl preference in some countries like Czech Republic, Lithuania and Portugal, (Karsten & Kohler 2000). From the above discourse, many studies have shown the prevalence of male child preference in most developing societies of the world. But what this study attempts to investigate is to find out the trend for male preference: if this phenomenon is increasing or decreasing. Therefore the following questions, among others, will guide us in this study: What is the trend of male child’s preference among couples resident in the rural and urban areas respectively? Is male child preference related to the level of education among couples? When a couple desire numbers of children are all boys, do they intend to have more in a bid to have a girl? When a couple desire numbers of children are all girls do they still desire to have more in a bid to born a boy? Are the determinants of male child’s preference still relevant as they were in primordial time?

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

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 the trauma facing women without a male child in Igueben, Edo State. Africa and Christian perspective

METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS

The researcher will employ oral and direct interview in administering this research questions. Responses from the respondents were needed unlike questionnaires, which is less rewarding due to late receipt and loss of responses from respondents. The method of data analysis that will be used by the researcher is the simple percentage. More so, percentage and degrees of the responses will also be used in the analysis. Here, the ratio of those whose responses were not in the affirmative will be found and conclusions will be drawn there upon. Representations of the level of responses will be made in tabular form. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software will be used to test the hypotheses.

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