CONSEQUENCES OF POLYGAMOUS MARRIAGE ON THE CHRISTIANS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Family according to encyclopedia America is a core group of persons related by birth, marriage or other names (such as adoption) who commonly reside in the same household. The family is both subset of an individual’s total kinship network and a key unity of the household or domestic economy. Although family composition and structure vary greatly from culture to culture in general. Furthermore, families have existed in all societies and in all periods of human history family is equally a powerful symbol of social cohesion and morally a kind of micro of community and society. When anthropologist and sociologist speaks of the family they may be referring to married parents and children or to a broader kinship units social scientists have postulated that in all societies the family is to perform a set of basic functions. a basic function may be considered any activity imperative for the continuing existence of the society. The organization of an individual is defined as a role and Is conceptualized around a specific function such as raising of children. Moreover, each role implies a reciprocal role for example the sexual functions of marriage reside both in the husband’s role. According to J.B Chitamber (1972) family is the basic social institution of an organized relationship involving workable and dependable person by ties of marriage by blood, adoption, common consent and characterized by common residence and economic co-operation. Dr Martin Herbert (1975) on his own part states that all known societies the family is the most recognized unit which resumes the function of child bearing perpetuation of the family and human rules, socialization provision of economic man tenancy and live hood, love, affection and security.

According to Bas Dean (1977) there are many types of family units of which monogamous and polygamous family units are inclusive. The monogamous family unit is common in advance countries and hence it is commonly referred to us the Western type of family. It is mostly praised by some educated people, those who are religious ethnic’s permits only monogamous marriage and those legally married in the law court. Polygamy therefore is a kind of marriage that permits a person to have more than one husband or wife. There is dierent type of polygamy, but the researcher is narrowing his finding to two striking, Examples polygamy and polyandry. Polygamy is a process whereby or which permits a man marry more than one woman or wife, while polyandry has to do with a woman, who married to more than one man or husband. This is practiced mostly in Tibet. The eect of this marriage on the girl child is what the researcher is basing his research. This type of marriage is prevalent in Nigeria particularly, Oredo local government area of Edo state. Dr Martin Herbert and Ushio Biolonwu daintily agreed on the following reasons:Traditionally: it is practiced because of the prestige it accord a man, in the society in which he lives Religiously; most religion encouraged the practice of marrying more than one wife for example in Islam you are expected to marry as many wife as you wish, depending on your purchasing power.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

In every societies of the world there are some specific structure designated to meet the immediate need of the society consequent upon this is Oredo settlement she has a robust nature of socialization which clearly defines the role of both sexes (male and female). Over the years position of women in Nigeria societies, especially in Oredo, has not be given a serious concern.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to identify the consequences of polygamous family unit on the Christian in Oredo local government area. To highlight the factors which gave rise to polygamous family unit, to offer suggestion that will bring about lasting solution to this menace.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The knowledge of the study will be of immense benefit to the following: the married women because they are majority involved in this type of marriage the opinion of the Christian about the issue of polygamous family unit in Oredo local government area of Edo state the findings of the research will be carefully analyzed and interpreted through the data collected and solution will be provided to a given problems.