Abstract
This correlational survey study investigated the relationship between extra marital behaviours and family instability among married people in Owerri Education Zone, Imo State. Four research questions and three null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study. Using Multi-Stage Sampling technique, 450 respondents were sampled from the total population of 603588 married people in Owerri Education Zone. Instrument for data collection was a researcher structured questionnaire titled Extra marital Behaviours and Family Instability Questionnaire (EBFIQ). The instrument was face validated by three experts in Faculty of Education, university of Nigeria Nsukka. This instrument was trial tested and Cronbach Alpha reliability statistic was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument and an overall reliability Co-efficient value of 0.80 was obtained. Research Questions 1, 2, and 3 were analyzed using Mean and Standard Deviation while Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient was used for Research Question 4, t-test was used to test the null hypothesis 1, ANOVA was used to test null hypothesis 2, while Multiple Regression analysis was used to test null hypothesis 3. The major findings of the study indicated that both married men and women exhibited various forms of extra marital behaviours, it also showed that inabilities of husbands in providing family needs, husband initiating sex always among others were factors responsible for exhibition of extra marital behaviours among couples, and that there is a significant relationship between extra marital behaviours and family instability, among others. Based on the findings and implications of this study, the researcher recommended among others, that husband and wife should respect their marriage vows to avoid extra marital behaviours that may ruin their family, and that the government should sponsor counsellors in conducting seminars and workshops for married people in order to ensure that happiness existed into marriages in Owerri education Zone, Imo state.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of Study
Contemporary society is bedeviled with marital problems which are not in accordance with the standards, norms and values of traditional society. From creation every society has its traditional practices such as loving one’s spouse, having sex only with one’s partner among others; which are pronounced during marriage ceremonies and are expected of couples to boost the image and self-esteem of their partners. However, some partners deviate from these norms and exhibit it outside their marital homes. This has been a source of marital dispute and instability among couples. The negative outcome of this oftentimes, impacts the children psychologically and socially (Fernando, 2013).
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Marriage is one of the oldest institutions associated with human society. It is one that has repeatedly been emphasized in every society and constitutes the yardstick for the determination of responsibility in the families. Society prescribes the duties associated with and governing the institution of marriage to ensure that the children born into the families are well trained, fed and protected. According to Addai (1997) marriage is a legitimate way of establishing close romantic relationship between two or more people. Nwoye (1991) pointed out that it is a sacred and permanent contract which is enacted when two people decide on their own volition to express their love and sharing of access with each other for the purpose of growth and welfare of each other in marital life; to fulfill their promise in the present of witness especially during wedding. Furthermore, Nwoye explained that marriage is the social approved sexual union of two or more people for the purpose of bearing children in the society. Thus, marriage is a union between a man and a woman as husband and wife for the purpose of procreation and establishment of a family or families.
Whenever marriage takes place in any particular setting the husband and wife will then live together and enter into marital relationship, which is meant for procreation and satisfaction of urge, love, feelings and desire. The sexual intercourse involve in it will then turn the partners into one flesh, forming a union and this will strengthen the marital status by sealing it, constituting it and making it fruitful for the glory of God and for human appreciation (Harmon, 1995). Therefore from this union of husband and wife comes up the children which make up the family.
Family is the most important primary group and the smallest social unit in any particular society. It has its roots in the human biological and physical nature. It is universal in the sense that no human society exists or has existed without some form of family organization. Family is any group of people who interact and communicate with each others such as husband, wife and children in organizational settings (Akubue & Okolo, 2008). It is also the primary institution that socializes and protects the behaviours of the young ones and their parents. Okorodudu (2010) stated that, it is the role of the family to see that the child is nurtured and shielded from all forms of physical, mental, social attack and see to the growth and development of the child in the society. In the context of this study therefore family is a group of people who are united for the purpose of living together as husband and wife with children and other members such as siblings, uncles and grandparents each exhibiting the appropriate behaviour accepted by the culture.
Behaviour is the action of human being under specified circumstances (Farlex, 2012). Behaviour is any activity of an organism which is either overt or covert towards a particular event or situation. Overt behaviour is one that can be observed and is frequently recorded, while covert behaviour is one that is concealed and done secretly (Essuman, Nwaogu & Nwachukwu, 1990). Behaviour is the response of an organism to both internal and external stimuli, which may be observable or inferred. Thus, behaviour is any change in life space which is subject to psychological laws; the change may be in relation to location of a person and his environment, or a restructuring of his person including any change in valence of any part of his life space. There are behaviours that are appropriate in marital relationship such as having sex, fondling of breast, deep kissing among others; which becomes extra marital if exhibited outside marriage and can cause problems like quarrelling, fighting among couples.
Extra marital behaviour is the violation of set rules or relationship norms expected of married people, which results in feelings of sexual jealousy and rivalry. The violation can be sexual in nature, for example kissing, fondling or having sex with another individual outside of the relationship (Leeker & Carlozz 2012). Schneider, (2003) stated that it is a relationship between a person and someone other than his spouse that has an impact on the level of intimacy, emotional distance and over all dynamic balance in the marriage. Modie-moroka, (2009) has it that people who engage in extra marital behaviours are at high risk for Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) infection and transmission. Extra marital behaviour is therefore the violation of the marriage vows made in the presence of witnesses to be faithful to one’s husband or wife, it can be sexual or non sexual in nature. Extra marital behaviours have been one of the social problems resulting from hazardous life style though it has many forms; it deals with all sexual relations outside marriage in every life endeavour. (Bucher & Trotter, 1990).
There are many factors that lead to and increase the likelihood of anyone engaging in extra marital behaviours. Such factors include exhibiting sexually permissive attitude, being educated, living in an urban center, less religious, poor communication and self esteem problems among others (Feldman & Cauffman, 1999). Blow and Hartnett, (2007) stated that marital problems and being too older than one’s spouse are also other factors that cause and affect the likelihood of one being involved in an extra marital behaviour.
Extra marital behaviour exposes spouses to a lot of physiological, sociological and psychological problems that may lead to family instability (Obi, 2003). Physiological problems are concern with such basic activities that take place in living organisms (married people) during the performance of life functions such as reproduction, growth among others. In this effect, extra martial behaviour predisposes married people to the risk of contacting sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea, syphilis, Human Immuno Virus, Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome and candidiasis among others as a result of increased rate of hotels in the area which lure married people into unprotected sex with multiple partners especially in Owerri education zone of Imo state. All these reproductive tract infection can lead to infertility (Obi, 2003). Furthermore, Obi explained that Human Immuno Virus and Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome is a deadly disease which has become a challenge to the whole world in general. Obi further noted that unwanted pregnancy may result from this, thereby leading to abortion with its complications or even death, on the other hand, an illegitimate child is born. This lends credence to Ogan’s (2001) view that there are numerous health risks associated with extra marital behaviour which serve as factors that affect their well being. Ogan went further to explain that partners who cheat risk been found out with its attendant hurt feelings or lost of trust by their partners. This can affect both the partners and their children negatively.
