ABSTRACT

This study sought to explore demographic variables predictive powers ofreproductive decision making of married persons in Anambra State ofNigeria. Four research questions guided the study while four hypotheses wereequally tested. A correlational design was used for the study. A clustersampling procedure involving simple random sampling techniques byballoting was adopted to compose the sample of 2,250 married persons: 1,125males and 1,125 females. A structured questionnaire titled: ReproductiveDecision Making Questionniare used to collect data from the respondents.The data collected were analyzed using multiple regression analysis to testthe hypotheses at 0.05 levels of significance. The analysis of the data yieldedthe following results: Demographic variables (education, location, occupationand income level) significantly predict the reproductive decision making ofmarried persons in terms of family size (and child spacing); demographicvariables (education, location, occupation and income level) significantlypredict the reproductive decision making of married persons in terms ofcontraceptive use; demographic variables (education, location, occupationand income level) significantly predict the reproductive decision making ofmarried persons in terms of breastfeeding; demographic variables (education,location, occupation and income level) significantly predict the reproductivedecision making of married persons in terms of sex preference. Among theeducational implications of the findings of the study was that married personscould be helped to take joint reproductive decision in terms of family size andchild space, the use of contraceptives, breastfeeding and sex preference. Itwas thus recommended that marriage counsellors should help marriedpersons in their reproductive decision making regarding the use ofcontraceptive, family planning, breastfeeding and sex preference, throughorganizing seminars, workshops and enlightenment campaign. Suggestionsfor further research and limitations were also given.13CHAPTER ONEINTRODUCTIONBackground of the StudyThe institution of marriage is as old as the history of man and hiscreation. Marriage is a traditional institution, which legally unites a man anda woman to become husband and wife, cohabiting in a household. It is atraditional institution because it has existed from the immemorial and hasprocesses and rules guiding it depending on the community where it is done.In Igbo Land, marriage is not just a union of two persons, towns orcommunities involved become and call themselves in-laws. Marriage (alsocalled matrimony or wedlock) is a socially or ritually recognized union orlegal contract between spouses that establishes rights and obligations betweenthem and their children, and between them and their in-laws. The definitionof marriage varies according to different cultures, but it is principally aninstitution in which interpersonal relationships, usually sexual, areacknowledged. In some cultures, marriage is recommended or considered tobe compulsory before pursuing any sexual activity. When defined broadly,marriage is considered a cultural universal (Skynner, 2006). Individuals maymarry for several reasons, including legal, social, libidinal, emotional,financial, spiritual, and religious purposes. Who they marry may beinfluenced by socially determined rules of incest, prescriptive marriage rules,parental choice and individual desire. In some areas of the world arrangedmarriage, child marriage, polygamy, and sometimes forced marriage, may be114practiced as a cultural tradition. Conversely, such practices may be outlawedand penalized in many parts of the world out of concerns for human rightsand because of international law. In developed parts of the world, there hasbeen a general trend towards ensuring equal rights within marriage forwomen and legally recognizing the marriages of interracial, interfaith, andsame gender married persons. Oftentimes, these trends have been motivatedby a desire to establish equality and uphold human rights (Martin, 2008).Marriage can be recognized by a state, an organization, a religiousauthority, a tribal group, a local community or peers. It is often viewed as acontract. Civil marriage is a marriage without religious content carried out bya government institution in accordance with marriage laws of the,jurisdiction, and recognized as creating the rights and obligations intrinsic tomatrimony. Marriages can be performed in a secular civil ceremony or in areligious setting via a wedding ceremony. The act of marriage usually createsnormative or legal obligations between the individuals involved, and anyoffspring they may produce. In terms of legal recognition, most sovereignstates and other jurisdictions limit marriage to opposite-sex married personsand a diminishing number of these permit polygamy, child marriages, andforced marriage. Over the twentieth century, a growing number of countriesand other jurisdiction have lifted bans on and have established legalrecognition for interracial marriage, interfaith marriage and most lately,same-sex marriage. Some cultures allow the dissolution of marriage throughdivorce or annulment. In some areas, child marriages and polygamy may15occur in spite of national laws against the practice (Anameze, 1996). Sincethe late twentieth century, major social changes in Western countries have led

1. 1. This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research work
2. 2. As a source for additional understanding of the subject.
3. 3. As a source for ideas for your own research work (if properly referenced).
4. 4. For PROPER paraphrasing (see your university definition of plagiarism and acceptable paraphrase)
5. 5. Direct citing (if referenced properly)
Thank you so much for your respect to the authors copyright.