THE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS OF INFERTILITY AMONGST MBAISE COUPLES

Abstract

Infertility has become a cankerworm that destroys the peace of some couples, making them to face maltreatments from individuals and communities ranging from mockery, abuse, rejection, immoral acts, divorce, denial of properties and even death. The purpose of this study is to investigate the trauma, abuse, divorce, and general assault infertile couples passed through in various Mbaise communities and how these problems should be minimized. It aimed at bringing out the general beliefs regarding marriage, infertility and the value of children. It further examined the socio-cultural implications of infertility among Mbaise people. The significance of this study among others should reduce the high rate of divorce in our society. It will also reduce the high rate of sexual transmitted diseases which is mostly responsible for infertility among couples and finally gives infertile couples hope and peace of mind in the society. The researcher adopted conflict theory for this study. The population of the study consisted of 42 infertile couples, drawn from the three local government areas that make up Mbaise community. Data collected from the respondents which hinged on the research questions. The study found out that the majority cause of mockery, divorce, abuse, rejections, loss of property and positions, high level of promiscuous and unprotected sex by couples are caused by the Igbo cultural value of child. It was also found that Mbaise people believed that childless marriage is traditionally recognized as bad luck (Chi á»já»á»). However, it was also revealed that adoption of child is the safest way to resolve infertility problem and recommendations were suggested.