THE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF CHILDLESSNESS ON MARRIED COUPLES IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study examined the socio-cultural impact of childlessness on the wellbeing of married couples in Ordeo Local Government Area of Benin City, Edo State. The research was carried out  to determine if childlessness among married couples often leads to marital instability and also, if childlessness among married couples often leads to stigmatization and discrimination. The Symbolic Interactionism Theory was adopted as the theoretical framework for this study and the cross-sectional survey method was used as the research design. Data was collected through 8YHTadministration of structured questionnaires from three hundred and two (302) selected respondents. Data analysis of the research questions was done using the frequency count and percentages, while the hypotheses were tested using Chi-Square. The findings in this study revealed that all the respondents were about of the causes of infertility/childlessness among married couples. Findings from the hypotheses revealed that there was a significant relationship between childlessness among married couples and marital instability; and also, a significant relationship exist between childlessness among married couples and stigmatization and discrimination. Based on the findings, it was recommended that couples who are childless must be tolerated; it is important for couples to provide for each other emotional support as they seek for the solution to their challenge of childlessness.