ASSESSING THE FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR DIVORCE AND SEPARATION AMONG COUPLES

ABSTRACT

Due to the high rate of divorce and separation in our societies presently that have become an issue of concern, this study was conducted to assess the factors responsible for divorce and separation among couples in Benin metropolis, in the course of carrying out this study five research questions was raised and questionnaire was the major instrument used for data collection. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study, validity of the instrument was determined by the project supervisor, reliability of the instrument was determined through a test-retest method. A sample size of one hundred and fifty(150) women were used as respondents, frequency count and simple percentage are the method used in analysing the data collected. The findings of the study revealed that infidelity/ extra- marital affairs, lack of effective communication, financial strain, family interference and substance abuse are factors responsible for divorce and separation among couples in Benin metropolis. It was also discovered that early marriage and arranged marriages, domestic violence and abuse are major factors contributing to divorce and separation among couples in Benin metropolis, it was also discovered that cultural and religious difference are not major factors contributing to divorce and separation among couples in Benin metropolis. In addition it was discovered that divorce and separation among couples in Benin metropolis have various effects such as financial instability among couples, negative effect on the academic performance of children from divorced homes and strain relationship among relatives of the divorced couples.