INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The objective of this project is to examine the issue of early marriage in Nigerian society, specifically in the town of Akatta. Marital unions play a significant role across different cultures and involve the selection of life partners. As an enduring institution, marriage regulates the reproductive behaviors of both males and females according to established social norms.
Despite various attempts by governmental and non-governmental entities to increase awareness regarding the hazards of early marriage, the researcher contends that it continues to be a burgeoning problem in society. The researcher emphasizes the significance of investigating the main causes and consequences of early marriage in order to educate individuals about the perils associated with entering into such unions before being adequately emotionally and mentally equipped to assume familial duties.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
It is common knowledge in our society that parents are marrying off young girls at an early age for various reasons, such as financial gain or personal motivations. Onigu O. (1978) emphasized that this practice has negative consequences on the childhood of these girls and also disclosed that many of them become teenage parents when they themselves are still children. One example of this is Oyibo, who was coerced into marriage as a second wife to an Ichie while she was in junior secondary school. This situation is widespread among numerous other young girls and, occasionally, boys.
All efforts to tackle this problem have been fruitless. Staples (1986) found that teenagers who get married are prone to dropping out of school because of pregnancy, dealing with joblessness, and experiencing difficulties due to having numerous children. He also noted their educational and experiential deficiencies. Staples concluded that teenage mothers without support constantly require financial and emotional assistance. Furthermore, inadequate parenting and negative peer pressure may affect the early marriage of boys and girls.
Participating in sexual activity can result in unintended pregnancy, often leading to early marriages among young people. This particular problem has had adverse effects on many individuals and caused frustration in their lives.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following conceptualization gives rise to these research questions:
- What are the types of marriage in Akatta in Oru-East local government Area?
- What is early marriage?
- What are the causes for early marriage in Akatta in Oru-East local government area?
- What are the consequences of early marriage in Akatta community in Oru-East local government area?
- What are the roles of social workers in the society where early marriage has assumed a recognized social problem?
Study Objective:
The study aims to examine early marriage in the Oru-East local government area of Imo state. The specific objectives of the study are as follows:
- To ascertain what are the types of marriage.
- To find out what is early marriage in Akatta community in Oru-East local government area.
- To find out the causes for early marriage in Akatta community in Oru-East local government area.
- To ascertain the consequences of early marriage in Akatta community in Oru-East local government area.
- To find out the roles of social workers in the society where early marriage is recognized social problem.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study has dual significance, both in theory and practice, as it aims to enhance the current knowledge on the reasons and consequences of early marriage among the people of Akatta community in Oru-East local government area. Moreover, it intends to enlighten young individuals about the actual realities of the world. In addition, it strives to familiarize unmarried individuals with the aftermath of entering marriage at a young age.
This study aims to provide valuable insights for various stakeholders, including government officials, parents, guidance counselors, village leaders, and town leaders. Its focus is on effectively addressing the complexities associated with early marriage. Furthermore, it seeks to facilitate the determination of an optimal age at which individuals should marry to establish a successful and harmonious lifelong partnership. Additionally, this research will support the government in educating the public about seeking help in managing conflicts between parents and children instead of coercing daughters into early marriages.
DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
The terms listed below have the following meanings:
Early- this term refers to the period or time between the appointed times.
Marriage- marriage is the union or life contract between a male and a female for the purpose of procreation and socio-physical satisfaction of one another.
Early marriage- early marriage refers to the marriage of individuals who have not reached the globally accepted age of 18 as the age of maturity. According to David Knox (1975:50), early marriage is defined as a marriage before the age of 20 for females and 22 for males. On the other hand, Burchinal (1964:49) considers early marriage as one in which at least one spouse, especially the girl, is not yet 19 or 20 years old.
Causes are what generate an effect, acting as reasons or motives for action. Conversely, effects refer to the influence of one thing on another. In the field of social work, professionals aid individuals, groups, organizations, and communities in resolving life’s challenges. The practice of social work focuses on acquiring practical skills that improve the effectiveness and relevance of these professionals.
LITERATURE REVIEW
In the traditional marriage or wedding, various customs are followed based on the tribe and ethnic group. In Igbo tradition, this type of marriage takes place at the bride’s family home. Symbolically, the bride accepts palm wine (ngwu), drinks a portion of it, and then passes the remaining wine in the cup back to the suitor.
Church marriage, often called church wedding, typically involves the bride and groom dressing up on the wedding day and attending a church service. During this service, hymns are sung and prayers are said for the couple’s happiness and successful married life. The bride and groom exchange rings and make vows, and they receive a marriage certificate from the priest.
The marriage under the ordinance is legally known as court marriage. The federal marriage ordinance establishes the requirements for this form of marriage. The couple submits a notice of court marriage to the registrar in a recognized court of law. The notice remains valid for twenty-one (21) days, during which the couple can legally marry within a period of three months.
In a parlor marriage, the bride and groom are invited before the parents of both parties as well as numerous other guests. There is no exchanging of rings and no written contract, only a verbal promise to love, hold, and be faithful to each other until death separates them. This type of wedding does not involve any religious aspect, although in some cases a minister may be invited to add a spiritual atmosphere to the ceremony.
The cause of early marriage could be attributed to bad friends who easily deceive teenagers. Agunwa (1985) suggested that lack of sex education in schools, association with bad company, pressure to marry young, and the pursuit of material wealth among youth contribute to the increase in teenage pregnancy. Grinder (1978) stated that early marriage is more common among rural dwellers. Additionally, poverty may compel some parents to allow their daughters to marry at a young age.
Early marriage is a significant setback for any society that wishes to address the challenges of modern life. It is a social issue that is surrounded by chaos and unpreparedness, stemming from inexperience, poverty, and hardship. Consequently, it leads to frustration, conflict, domestic violence, and marital instability. Onwuka (1988) emphasizes that teenage youth who enter into marriage are more likely to abandon their education due to pregnancy, struggle to find employment, and endure difficulties caused by having too many children.
Additionally, he noted that these women are generally uneducated, inexperienced, and lack skills. He concluded by emphasizing the necessity of providing financial and emotional assistance to teenage mothers without support. However, Staples emphasized that early marriage has notable implications for individuals and society. He contended that marrying at a young age is connected to heightened infertility rates, economic difficulties, and an increased likelihood of divorce. It is crucial to acknowledge that society encompasses diverse institutions including family, education, politics, health care, economy, and religion.
The preceding text extensively discussed the impact of early marriage on society. Early marriage, considered a social issue, has affected many individuals, necessitating a collective response. Social workers are responsible for providing counseling, therapy, interventions, and public awareness programs to educate people about marriage-related matters.
The provision of counseling is crucial for couples who have recently married, especially those in early marriages. Social workers should educate them on problem-solving techniques to foster peace and harmony within their family. Additionally, it is essential to offer premarital counseling to young individuals, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of marriage and develop effective strategies for addressing marital difficulties. This will ultimately contribute to the prevention of divorce, emotional breakdowns, and immature behavior. Furthermore, social workers should caution parents against arranging early marriages solely based on financial considerations as this can negatively impact their children’s future welfare.
It is crucial to offer parents advice on instilling a strong moral base in their children. This will aid in preventing them from straying from the accepted norms and values of society. Furthermore, social workers must educate young individuals about the possible consequences of getting pregnant before marriage, skipping school, and leaving education prematurely. These obstacles may lead some parents to push for early marriages for their children.
THE EQUILIBRIUM THEORY
Functionalism, as described by Turnar (1982), suggests that every society is made up of different social factors that coexist and interact with each other. Divisive conflict theory, a type of functionalist theory, illustrates the presence of conflicts, competition, disorder, instability, and change within social organizations. One consequence of early marriage is the separation it brings between children and their parents in a family. This frequently leads to family conflict due to the child’s need for proper care, affection, and guidance in order to adhere to societal norms and values.
This paragraph discusses the theories of Karl Marx, George Sinnel, Herbert Spencer, and James Griar Millar. The theory being discussed is Integrative Conflict Theory, which is associated with Karl Marx. This theory is a functionalist theory that emphasizes competition, instability, and change within social organization. George Sinnel is a notable supporter of this theory (Turnar 1982). Although it falls under the category of functionalist theories, it does not directly relate to the research problem. On the other hand, Systems Theory is linked to Herbert Spencer and James Griar Millar. This theory explores how different parts of a system are interconnected and the methods they use to fulfill their functions. It sees individuals as active personality systems capable of initiating their own behavior.
According to role theory, early marriage within a family has negative effects on both the child and the family because they are considered a unit within their environment. In this theory, individuals are seen as participants in a drama and each person is assigned a specific role that determines their behavior and interactions with others. Role theory is associated with sociologists like Robert Park, George Sinnal, and Turnar (1982).
Role theory is a theoretical framework
Role theory, a component of the functionalism theoretical orientation, is closely tied to the investigation of causes and consequences surrounding early marriage. According to this perspective, each family member – be it parents or children – carries distinct responsibilities that contribute to improved family functioning. Inadequacy in meeting these responsibilities may lead to dysfunctional families. Consequently, parents are anticipated to provide moral encouragement for their children.
Children are required to adhere to societal laws. Displaying love and affection towards children aids in the prevention of unplanned pregnancies and premature marriages. Sociology during the 1940s and 1950s primarily adopted the functionalist perspective as its prevailing theoretical framework. This viewpoint asserted that individual components of an organism cannot be examined independently, but rather should be comprehended in conjunction with the entire organism.
The society is a complete system, with various interconnected parts. To understand any part, like the family, it must be seen in relation to the whole society. Functionalists analyze the family and other parts of society based on their contributions to maintaining the social system. Functionalism focuses on the structured behavior within society, where relationships follow patterns and recurring values provide general guidelines for behavior. These values are then translated into more specific directives through roles and norms.
HYPOTHESIS
- Those who are not literate are likely to be involved in premarital pregnancy than those who are literate.
- Children whose parents are from low income group are more likely to be involved in early marriage than those whose parents are from higher income group.
- Children in rural areas are more likely to be involved in early marriage than children in urban areas.
- girls who are living with their foster parents are likely to be involved premarital pregnancy than those who are living with their natal parents.
RESEARCH DESIGN
According to Obikeze (1990), research design is the process of gathering information on specific variables from a study population at a particular moment. It includes the methodology, procedures, population sampling, administration, and data collection. Kerlinger defines research design as a strategy used to obtain answers to research questions. For this project, the chosen research design is a cross-sectional survey.
THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study was conducted in the Akatta community in the Oru-East local government area. It focused on a total of 12,562 families from eight villages: Umu-Udara, Ubaha, Akwa, Ura, Ishi, Okporo, Ubahangwu, and Erim. Investigating these families was important because the variables of the study could be found within them. Akatta is surrounded by Nnempi to the east, Omuma to the west, Ama-azu to the north, and on the south by Nnempi.
SAMPLING PROCEDURE
The sampling method used in this study is random probability sampling (Eboh 1998). This method involves a random collection procedure to ensure that each unit of the sampling is chosen based on choice. To implement this method, eight (8) identical pieces of paper were provided, with each piece having the name of a village written on it. All the pieces of paper were folded identically and then placed into a basket. The basket was shaken to create a random selection. A nursery school child was then asked to pick the papers one by one. During the first picking, the child selected Ubaha, and during the second picking, the child selected Okporo.
INSTRUMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION
The researcher collected data by using a questionnaire, which was divided into two sections: A and B. Section A focused on gathering personal information and socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. Section B, on the other hand, gathered the respondents’ views on the causes and effects of early marriage. To ensure the questionnaire’s effectiveness, five responses from Oru-East LGA of Imo state were used for pretesting. Based on the results, the researcher made necessary amendments to improve the questionnaire.
Questionnaire Administration
One local field assistant was recruited and trained on the objective and methodology of the study. Both of us worked together to administer the questionnaires to the girls at their homes and also their parents. The method employed for this was face-to-face administration of the questionnaire, which we carried out and collected on the same day.
METHOD OF DATA PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS
The researcher employed descriptive statistical techniques to process and analyze the overall research data. This process entailed utilizing frequency tables and relative measures (percentages) exclusively. The use of tables and percentages facilitated the presentation of the socio-demographic characteristics and patterns of the different respondent categories, as well as their perceptions concerning the causes and consequences of early marriage within families. Percentages were especially beneficial for simplifying comparisons among variables such as illiteracy, low income groups, rural areas, and foster parents.
SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS
The researcher summarises the findings of this research work as follows:
According to a scientific investigation in Oru-East L. G. A. of Imo state, early marriage is a significant social problem. The study found that 50% married between the ages of 13 and 18, 20% married between 19 and 21, 10% married between 22 and 26, and 10% married at age 27 or older.
This research discovered that 80% of respondents believe that poor academic performance is the main factor leading young people into early marriage, while the remaining 20% disagreed.
According to this research, 80% of the respondents stated that economic constraint contributes to early marriage, while 20% responded negatively. Additionally, it was found that peer groups strongly influence youths to marry early, with 70% responding positively and 30% responding negatively.
- It was further discovered that peer groups influence leads most youths to early marriage, hence 70% of the respondents responded positively while 30% responded negatively.
- It was also discovered that 86% of the respondents were not happy being married at their teen while 14% were happy about it.
- This research found out that majority of the respondents, i. e. 0% agreed that early marriage has something to do with their fertility rate and increased the tendency of having many children while 20% do not agree.
- This research investigated that 90% of the respondents responded positively to see young girls being well educated before they marry, while 10% responded otherwise.
- It is discovered that 80% respondents would not give their children for early marriage, considering its effects while 20% still agreed to give out their own children so early.
- Another finding of this is that 80% of the respondents would want them to be gainfully employed while 20% was against it.
- This research further investigated that the total percentage of 70 responded that girls who are not living with their parents are more likely to be involved with pre-marital pregnancy while 30% responded negatively.
RECOMMENDATION
The following will be emphasized while recommending helpful solution:
- Social welfare department of the local government should take up the task of enlightening the people on how to consult them for the handling of some conflicting situations that might erupt between parents and children instead of outright sending of their daughters to marry prematurely.
- There should be available counseling centers in which counseling should be carried out and during counseling process, parents should be made to understand that the responsibility of fostering discipline on their children lies fully on them rather than expecting miracles from husbands who married their delinquent daughters.
- If the illiteracy level in the area is very high, the government should extend its current mass illiteracy campaign to the area.
- The authorities handling primary and secondary education curriculum should introduce sex education in their curricula.
- The government should also establish adult education centers under the adult education curricula.
- The government should give scholarship to boys and girls whose parents are poor and can not sponsor them beyond the primary school level.
- Government should also legislate on the issue and prohibit parents and intending husbands from contracting marriage when the girl is bellow 21 years of age.
- Marriage registrar units should be established in every local government who would certify couples that are matured for marriage within the age boundary, who would freely accept themselves as husbands and wives.
- The intending couples must be present in persons for the determination of their ages in registers before approving their marriage.
- Registrar should create more sub-units that would be on field work to detect marriage contracts outside the registry and charge offenders to court.
