RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES AND MARITAL SATISFACTION AMONG MARRIED PERSONS IN WARRI METROPOLIS (GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Marriage is said to be one of the oldest institutions in the world and it is said to date back to early creation. It is the coming together of a man and a woman for the purpose of companionship and procreation (Obiunu, 2007). This coming together of man and woman can be organized in different forms either traditional or along religious lines of (Islamic or Christian Marriage) or that which takes place in the registry.
The above stated forms or types of marriage is expected to present the couple an avenue to let people or the families know that they have chosen to spend the rest of their lives together. This acknowledgement of one another before the parents, church or law is only the beginning of a long journey of lessons and relationship especially where the couple has not been living with each other. Marital satisfaction therefore refers to the extent to which a married couple enjoys the union so contracted between themselves: Marriages are entered into with the hope of achieving marital bliss and happiness.
Several factors however determine the extent to which
the couple is satisfied with each other as husband and wife. The absence of marital satisfaction more often than not lead
to divorce and in some cases, keeping or engaging in extra marital affairs with the hope of bridging the perceived gap. The married couples are expected to stay together, accommodate each other in sickness and in health, to have and to hold and to love and cherish and learn to live together m harmony irrespective of language and tribe, religious inclination, age and place of domicile.
The reviewed variables such as gender, age, occupation, length of marriage and level of education may to a great extent determine the level of satisfaction, which the couples enjoy from the union. There have been instances in the past where the husband is seen as the sole provider of food and shelter for the wife and children (family). Current experiences however show that women are likely to get some satisfaction from taking up responsibilities of contributing to the up keep of the family, hence they are now desirous of working and supporting the home (Ahaia, 2006).
Another major issue that is tied to the success of every marriage may be the age at which marriages are contracted. People are of the view that marriages that are entered into at a much early age between 12 and 16 are not likely to get satisfaction at a much older age because some of those things that are now known to them at this age could have helped them to make better informed choices (Ntukiden and Etudor, 2005).
Some people felt that such marriages may end up being a mistake and as such may not be enjoyed, talk more of getting the desired marital satisfaction. The advocate of this believe that marriages contracted at a much later age of say between 18 and 25 years are much better planned couple) better informed and more mature to take responsibilities of child care, feeding and provision of shelter.
