EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF CULTURAL NORMS AND PRACTICES ON FEMALE INHERITANCE IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The diverse cultural norms and practices that exist among different people of the world determine their values and acceptable ways of life. The customary norm and practice of female disinheritance that exist among the Igbo people of the South Eastern State of Nigeria especially in Imo State is no doubt a contemporary challenge which has attracted diverse interests of study. Women in Nigeria especially in Imo State have suffered a whole lot of discriminatory practices which are resultant effects of customary and traditional practices. This has however prompted the need for this paper. The paper explored the effect of cultural norms and practices of the Imo State people which have fanned the embers of female disinheritance. It also investigated the effect or otherwise of existing customary norms on women inheritance especially patriarchy and its perpetuating tendencies towards the disinheritance of women in Imo State. The Methodology employed was empirical with particular attention to field work and comprehensive analysis. The 300 questionnaires that were shared were interview guided-based to achieve optimal responses. The questionnaires were randomly distributed and they formed the primary source of data while textbooks, articles and journals formed secondary sources of data. This paper is divided into sections which are geared towards exploring the effects of cultural norms and practiced in the disinheritance of women Imo State. The result of this study showed that the effect of cultural practices and norms on female disinheritance is enormous (99.3%) and that only radical and drastic measures can be taken to combat its fast spreading effects. Study recommended complete abolition of the customary practice of female disinheritance and creation of special courts for the purpose of settling disinheritance matters as to fast-track the course of justice.