Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi

MARITAL CONFLICT AMONG COUPLES IN EKITI STATE: A SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH

Taiwo Olabode Kolawole, Timilehin Peter Owoeye & Dolapo Sowole

Abstract

The family, as an integral part of every system is saddled to build and nurture a cultured society. It is noteworthy; no family can survive without conflict for perfect understanding of marriage. Hence, this descriptive study explored the causes, nature and consequences of marital conflict due to rising profile of conflict among couples leading to broken homes, divorce or untimely death. A513 couples were selected using accidental sampling technique from some purposively selected communities in Ekiti state. Questionnaire was used to elicit quantitative data. Findings revealed 92.0% respondents agreed that husbands and wives do have misunderstanding. To causes of marital conflict, 47.0% strongly agreed its infidelity/extra marital affair, 41.5% strongly agreed lack of trust/keeping secrets, 42.5% strongly agreed its refusal of wives to submit to the husband, 41.0% strongly agreed sexual deprivation, 36.0% strongly agreed repeated quarrels. The prevalence of marital conflict, 48.5% experience marital conflict frequently while 28.0% experience it once a while. On the consequences, 71.5% don't talk to each other for sometimes, 70.0% deny each other sex, 64.5% keep distances from spouse while 60.0% said money for housekeep is withdrawn and stop eating together. Study concluded that, conflict is inevitable no matter our statuses and should be managed constructively to save the family. Study recommended that couples should perceive misunderstanding as a normal thing and should be handled with absolute care and patience so as not to degenerate into destructive act. Both couples should not give room to third party in their marriage especially during misunderstanding.

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