The Influence of Childlessness on Marital Survival
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the influence of childlessness in the marital home
- To ascertain the causes of childlessness in the family
- The study will also suggest the possible solution to the causes of childlessness
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
DEFINITION OF CHILDLESSNESS
Clinicians and epidemiologists use the concept childlessness to mean having difficulties to conceive by a woman or to impregnate a woman by a man. That is, no conception after at least one year of attempting to achieve a pregnancy (Adegbola, 2007). Demographers define childlessness as the inability of a non-contracepting, sexually active woman to have a live birth. Childlessness is defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse. The commonly-used description of childlessness is: after a year‟s unprotected sex, no pregnancy has taken place (Uyterlinde, 2003:133). It seems that the desire for a child involves a complicated motivation founded on psychological need, biological drives and historical and social tradition. Although the definitions of childlessness clearly indicate that childlessness concerns a couple system, Lowa community tend to view childlessness as a woman’s problem, man is hardly accused of childlessness as this is seen to demystify patriarchal norms and punctures man’s ego.
IMPACT OF CHILDLESSNESS ON MARRIAGE
According to American Childlessness Association, (2003) childlessness significantly impacts a couple’s marriage and become a greater contributor of stress than any other life problem. Women are left with feeling empty, defective, incomplete, undesirable and unworthy (Emmanuel 2008). In turn, some couples find it necessary to endure the pain of childlessness through social isolation in order to protect themselves. As a result of the loneliness experienced, couples with childlessness often have difficulty expressing their feelings of sorrow and most often grieve in private because they feel as though no one can truly understand their feelings of despair and hopelessness.
PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF CHILDLESSNESS
Several studies have confirmed that childlessness is associated with emotional responses such as depression, anxiety, guilt, social isolation, and decreased self-esteem in both men and women (Hollos, Larsen, Obono, and Whitehouse, 2009). Although the association between childlessness and these emotional disturbances has been shown, there has been little research examining the specific nature of these variables in relation to childlessness. Hollos, Larsen, Obono, and Whitehouse, (2009) conducted a key study exploring the impact of childlessness on psychological functioning.
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 influence of childlessness on marital survival
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain influence of childlessness on marital survival. 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 childlessness on marital survival
Summary
This study was on influence of childlessness on marital survival. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the influence of childlessness in the marital home, to ascertain the causes of childlessness in the family, the study will also suggest the possible solution to the causes of childlessness. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 residents in Ijebu Ode community of Ogun 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 married men, married women, public workers and unemployed couples were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Conclusively, it is important to note that infertility questions go beyond the core of the individual in African setting. Nevertheless, how men and women respond and the language they use reflect their individual experiences. Listening to their accounts and experiences, one cannot help but imagine the physical and emotional challenges they face on a daily basis in their homes and the community at large. For those who have chosen a treatment option, it is important to understand that infertility treatment in Nigeria is not an easy option because of the emotions and physical difficulty involve and with every failure, the feelings of never becoming a parent are re-visited, in some cases even after success. Childlessness has major psychological and social implications for affected persons, especially in settings where fertility is highly valued. This study have documented how childlessness is perceived in the selected communities and the multitude of adverse consequences suffered by affected individuals, Using quantitative and qualitative methods from this communities, this study explores socio-cultural implication and perception and acceptance of childlessness in these communities , focusing on both voluntary and involuntary childlessness.
Recommendation
A couple is assumed to have problems if after two years of regular and active sexual life, there is no pregnancy. It is, therefore, advisable that you have regular sex. Also appreciate the fact that some women with short or irregular menstrual periods may ovulate during menses. It may, therefore, be advisable to have sex even during their period. There is nothing wrong with it. Avoid herbal concoctions that are not certified by specialists. Most will worsen your condition. Instead, seek medical attention. Today surgery, hormone treatment and Assisted Reproductive Technology have reduced childlessness but their success depends on factors such as age, health status of couples and even luck. You may adopt or have surrogate. If all attempts fail, couples should accept their condition and stay strong. Knowing that you can never have children is not easy but denying it actually hurts more. Take interest in other people’s children in the neighbourhood, social organization and church. They will benefit from your time and your interest. Parenthood is not about biology but about love and care. As you show care and love you become a true model of parenthood. You may also develop new interest and get involved in activities like sports club, music and travel to meet people with kids. It helps you to blend in instead of alienating yourself from the rest of society. Never think that God does not love you. Instead He has given you what in His perfect plan, is the best for you. Today we hear of children butchering their parents. God knows your end from the beginning and may be saving you from tragic things you may not know of. If you learn to accept your situation, others will accept you. If you don’t have kids, you have each other. Cherish and deepen the love you share. Children are visitors who will come and go. No doubt studies show childless couples in later life, have higher levels of social participation than older couples who are parents. The love you share with or without children is the only key to a happy marriage. Those that, for whatever reason, are affected from involuntary childlessness do have options available to them. A person or persons that have the necessary components to reproduce may have a low sperm count or problems with ovulation could look into options such as artificial insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICIS) (Stearns, 2010).
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