Public Perception of Marital Unfaithfulness Among Married Women

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study

           Marriage is a social institution that has existed for as long as humans have. It defines the roles and responsibilities of spouses in the family and society. Ofoegbu (2002) described marriage as a social, legal, customary, or religious bond between a man and a woman for the purpose of creating and maintaining a family through procreation and mutual support. Different cultures have different types of marriages, such as endogamous, exogamous, or polygamous marriages.

Marriage is a lifelong commitment that requires partners to overcome various challenges, such as illness, financial difficulties, and so on. Marriage also creates a family, which is the smallest and most important social unit in any society. Akubue&Okolo (2008) defined family as a group of people who interact and communicate with each other, such as husband, wife, and children. In Nigeria, the family also includes extended relatives and dependents (Onwuasonya, 2006).

Every society has its own norms and values that guide marital behavior, such as loving one’s spouse, being faithful to one’s partner, and so on. These norms and values are often expressed during marriage ceremonies and are expected to be followed by couples. However, some partners violate these norms and values by engaging in extramarital affairs. This causes marital conflict and instability among couples and affects their children negatively (Fernando, 2013). Marital infidelity is a serious problem that affects many marriages around the world.

Marital fidelity is not only essential for keeping a family together but also for creating a generation of individuals who respect the sanctity of marriage. However, infidelity is very common and seems to be passed on from one generation to the next. (Ejaifo, 2012). Infidelity in marriage is becoming more prevalent, especially among women. This is because men’s extramarital sex is often socially accepted and rewarded. Many studies have documented the high rate of married men’s involvement in extramarital sex in Nigeria (Karanja, 1987; Onusuloye et al., 1997; Lawoyin& Larsen, 2002; Mitsunaga et al., 2005).

 

Against this background, this study is aimed at investigating the causes of marital infidelity among women in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

1.2     Statement of the Problem 

Marital infidelity, once a rare occurrence among women, has now sadly become commonplace in Nigerian society. According to a 2012 report by Durex, a condom manufacturing company, Nigerian women rank as the most unfaithful in the world, with a staggering 62 percent engaging in infidelity.

Infidelity exerts a profound negative impact on the functionality and stability of relationships (Drigotas, Safstrom, & Gontlia, 1999; Whisman, Dixon & Johnson, 1997). John Kester, a sociologist at the University of Lagos, notes that infidelity not only damages relationships but also has detrimental consequences for family life, especially when children are involved. When a mother engages in an affair, it can significantly affect children, as mothers are typically seen as the central figures in the family. The revelation of an affair can erode a child's confidence in the institution of marriage and family.

Research on marital infidelity reveals a range of adverse outcomes, including increased marital strife leading to divorce, domestic violence, urban prostitution, children born to different fathers, and the transmission of HIV and AIDS (National AIDS Control Council (NACC), 2007). Marital infidelity has also been linked to an elevated risk of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety (Cano & O’Leary, 2000).

Marital infidelity by women negatively impacts the development of any given area due to its effects on the individuals involved. Resources intended for family development are diverted to accommodate extramarital affairs and the treatment of HIV/AIDS (Kenya Forum, 2013). Female infidelity can also contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like gonorrhea, Chlamydia, syphilis, and others. Women's reproductive health is often compromised, leading to loss of life among mothers and leaving their children as orphans, or even causing school dropouts who may resort to delinquency.

Despite its detrimental effects on the well-being of family members and society as a whole, it is concerning to observe that married women continue to engage in extramarital affairs. What could be driving this increase? Could it be that married women are lacking certain fundamental needs in their family relationships, which they seek to fulfill through external sources?

 

It is in view of these concerns that this study is being carried out to find out the prevalence and causes of marital infidelity by women in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

 Research Questions  

The study was guided by the following research questions:

1. How do married women in Enugu North L.G.A. of Enugu state engage in marital infidelity?
2. What are the prevailing views and perceptions of people regarding marital infidelity among married women in Enugu North L.G.A. of Enugu state?

• What are the underlying causes and motivations for marital infidelity among married women in Enugu North L.G.A. of Enugu state?

1. What are the consequences and implications of marital infidelity for married women, their spouses, and their families in Enugu North L.G.A. of Enugu state?
2. What are the possible interventions and recommendations that can be adopted to prevent or reduce the occurrence of marital infidelity among married women in Enugu North L.G.A. of Enugu state?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the study was to examine   Public Perception of Marital Unfaithfulness Among Married Women

The specific objectives of the study were as follows:

1. To describe the patterns and forms of marital infidelity among married women in Enugu North L.G.A, of Enugu State.
2.  To assess the attitudes and opinions of people towards marital infidelity among married women in Enugu North L.G.A of Enugu State.

• To identify and analyze the reasons and influences for marital infidelity among married women in Enugu North L.G.A, of Enugu State.

1.  To explore and evaluate the challenges and outcomes of marital infidelity for married women, their spouses, and their families in Enugu North L.G.A of Enugu State.
2.  To suggest and propose feasible solutions and strategies that will help address the issue of marital infidelity among women in Enugu North L.G.A, of Enugu State.