ABSRACT
This study was carried out to determine the extent of knowledge and utilization of family conflict resolution strategies by newly married in Enugu State. The sources of family conflict resolution strategies available to the newly married, the extent to which the level of knowledge and utilization of family conflict resolution strategies were dependent on gender were examined. The effectiveness of the family conflict resolution strategies was ranked. Six research questions were generated and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A structured questionnaire, validated by three experts, was used to collect data from 600 couples purposively selected from the newly married persons resident in the six education zones of Enugu State. Copies of the questionnaire were administered directly to the subjects by the researcher. Mean scores and percentages were used to analyze the data collected. The study found out that the newly married are aware to a very great extent that discussion, negotiation, use of third party, accommodation, and sincere apology are family conflict resolution strategies. The primary sources of family conflict resolution strategies are through teachings in the church, listening to radio programs, discussion with parents, and through enlightenment from family counsellors. The newly married selectively utilize some family conflict resolution strategies to a very great extent, while some they do not use at all. Discussion and sincere apology are rated very effective in resolving family conflict; negotiation, empathic listening and accommodation are rated effective but the use of third party, avoidance, intimidation, and neglect are rated not effective in resolving family conflicts. A major educational / counselling implication of these findings is that married persons are aware of many family conflict resolution strategies and they selectively use some of these strategies to a very great extent. Based on these findings, it was therefore recommended that would-be couples should through pre-marital counselling be equipped with these strategies that are effective in resolving family conflicts. Relevant government agencies and civil societies should financially encourage writers to include in their works these strategies that are rated very effective in resolving family conflicts.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The family, though the smallest socializing unit of the society, has great influence on the society hence events in the society to some extent is a reflection of events in the family. The family is a group of persons united by the ties of marriage, blood, or adoption, constituting a single household and interacting with each other in their respective social position of husband and wife, mother and father, son and daughter, brother and sister (Luebering; Mahajan & Sampaolo, 2006). Gerald and Kathleen (2005) define the family as the union of husband, wife and children, all blood relations and all who live in the same household including servants and relatives.
The African concept of family is different from the views of the Western world (Uzoka, 2005). The African concept of family, Uzoka noted, is without doubt extended. In contrast to the widely orchestrated notion of the nuclear family of father-mother-offspring of the western world, for the Africans, the father-mother-offspring nexus is merely a small portion of what the family is. Mbiti (1969), as cited by Uzoka (2005), stressed that in the traditional African society, the family includes children, parents, grand parents, uncles, aunts, brothers and the departed relatives. Thus, in the typical African context, the idea of a family extends to those not living in the same household but is linked by common ancestry or marriage.
A family, in the cultural context of Enugu state where this work is situated and for the purpose of this study, is the union of husband, wife and children, all blood relations, all servants and relatives that are linked by common ancestry or marriage. Members of this union may not necessarily be living in a common residence, but they interact with its members as a unit distinct from other members of the society.
The family is expected in most countries and culture to be peacefully permanent and indissoluble (Olayinka and Omoegun, 2001). Talking about the need for the family to be permanently indissoluble, Okoh (1994) opined that the family is a mutual institution that guarantees the procreation, care and the education of the young. Okoh pointed out that the permanence of the society and survival of the human race depends on the stability of the family. Ideally, the family provides its members with protection, companionship, security, and socialization (Simpson, 2008). This indispensable social function of the family which is also enunciated by Simpson makes it necessary that family union should be peacefully permanent. It is only when the family union is stable that it would be able to carry out its social functions.
On the contrary, Families today appear to be challenged by family conflicts. These conflicts give birth to many delinquent children with its spill over effects on schools and the society (Rector and Fagan, 2000). This could be why Festus-Nwatu (2008) warned that if we fail to build better family units, we will have to build bigger prisons because events in the society are to some extent, a reflection of events in the family units.
Conflict is a struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power or resources. Conflict arises when two people have different values or needs and it appears that satisfying one person’s needs would thwart the needs of the other (Clemson, 2006). Conflict for the purpose of this work is a situation in which two or more persons take opposite positions as regards their views, aims, roles, values and opinions to the point that these opposing positions cannot be treated equally and fairly at the same time.
Family conflict is any struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power or resources that occur within a family- between husband and wife, parents and children, between siblings, or with extended families, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and in laws (Malek, 2006). Family conflict occurs when members of a family disagree, experience or have differing needs, wants, or beliefs to the point that one person’s need cannot be satisfied without compromising the need of the other(s) (Canadian Health Network, 2003).
Family conflict in this study is a situation in which two or more members of the family take opposite positions as regard their views, aims, roles in the family, values, and opinions to the point that these opposing positions cannot be treated equally and fairly at the same time. This implies that family conflict does not necessarily mean fighting, but may lead to fighting if not properly resolved.
Studies conducted by Aroh (2000), Egbo (2002), Ike, (2003), Nwosu (2005), and Umah (2008) revealed that couples in Enugu State are experiencing high level of family conflict. In the same vein Chukwuma (2005)also reported that between December 2004 and November 2005, 40 cases of domestic violence were reported by the national dailies. Twelve cases of family related assault on women were reported, 40 cases of murder were reported and 10 cases of acid baths were also reported.
Family conflicts abound even outside Nigeria. It is a well known fact that divorce is now common, especially in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe (Collins, 1988). Odunze (1991) laments that all over the world, families and marriages are today facing the worst trying period. Odunze pointed out that tension, uneasiness and lack of peace are the order of the day. This, Odunze noted, has given rise to health problems resulting to people dying young because of restless homes. These rampant family break ups, acid baths, murder, fighting in the homes, family violence and domestic assaults are all indications of family conflicts (Malek 2006; Warner and Seccombe, 2003; Nakonezny, Shull, and Rodgers 1995).
